Hollins leads Gophers to rout over UCLA

Mar 22, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Larry Drew II (10) looks to pass around Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Andre Hollins (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Frank Erwin Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota won it’s first NCAA Tournament game under Tubby Smith as the Gophers beat UCLA 83-63 in Austin, Tex. Friday evening.

Sophomore Andre Hollins led the Gophers with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He also finished 5-of-8 from beyond the arch.

The story throughout the game wasn’t so much the Gophers winning as opposed to how poorly the Bruins played.

As a team, UCLA shot 32 percent from the field and saw limited productivity from their key players, including freshman Kyle Anderson.

Anderson managed only to score six points on the night and finished 2-of-11 from the field.

UCLA’s other freshman, Shabazz Muhammad, started the game slow, missing his first seven shots from the field — but he finished with 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting while failing to make a shot from beyond the arch in six attempts.

Aside from UCLA”s struggles, Minnesota played well throughout the game, maintaining a lead and building off it when the opportunity was there.

Fresh legs had a lot to do with it as Tubby Smith went deep into his bench, playing a total of 11 players.

Elliot Eliason and Oto Osenieks saw the most playing time off the bench with 19 minutes a piece.

Eliason added six points and five rebounds while Osenieks notched two points.

The Gophers are set to face No. 3 Florida on Sunday at 5:10 p.m. C.T. with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.

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