Half-time: Gophers in control, up 35-25 against UCLA

facebooktwitterreddit

Mar 22, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins dance team performs during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in first half of the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Frank Erwin Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Gophers are in full control of their first-round match up against the UCLA Bruins in Austin, Tex.

Led by Austin Hollins’ 11 points, Minnesota has a 35-25 lead over the Pac-12 Bruins, who shot just 27 percent from the field in the first half.

Minnesota is shooting just over 46 percent but the Gophers have made 4-of-8 from beyond the arch, highlighted by Hollins’ 3-of-4 from three.

While Minnesota is known to be the better rebounding team, the Bruins are out rebounding Minnesota 20 to 16, including nine offensive rebounds — but the Gophers are finding other ways to stay ahead in the game.

The Gophers have only committed four turnovers in the first half, compared to 10 by the Bruins, who are also losing in the assist category 10-3.

UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad’s cold start is the story line of the first half. The freshman is 0-of-7 from the field and has five points.

Kyle Anderson, another UCLA freshman, was also kept scoreless.

Follow Gold and Gopher on Twitter | Follow Frank Bi on Twitter