The Minnesota Gophers entered last nights Big Ten home game against the 14th ranked Wisconsin Badgers as a desperate team. The Gophers
(15-10, 6-7 Big Ten) need wins down the stretch to have a chance to get into the post-season. Knocking off a team of the Badgers caliber would be a tremendous resume builder.
The Gophers added to that resume by pulling away in the second half to beat the Badgers 68-52. Wisconsin pulled to within 45-42, but Bo Ryan’s Badgers went nearly 8 minutes from that point without scoring a point.
AUDIO: Bo Ryan says his team’s drought is hard to explain :10
Jon Leuer returned to the Badgers lineup after missing 9-games with a broken left wrist. The junior forward scored just 4-points on 2 of 12 shooting last night. Ryan said Leuer will get better as he plays more.
AUDIO: Ryan says Leuer will get better :11
The Badgers (19-7, 9-5) fell two games behind first place Michigan State in the Big Ten standings with the loss. With four games left, Wisconsin’s chances at winning the Big Ten regular season championship took a major blow with four teams in front of them in the standings.
Blake Hoffarber had 16 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Gophers. Trevon Hughes had 19 points to lead Wisconsin.
Next up for the Badgers, a Sunday afternoon home game against Northwestern at the Kohl Center.