In a game that was nip and tuck from the opening tip off, and one that the Northwestern Wildcats had to have if they wanted to avoid being on the wrong side of the bubble on NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday, the seventh-seeded Wildcats couldn't hold on in overtime, losing to the Minnesota Gophers 75-68. Northwestern's chances of earning an NCAA Tournament bid suffered a serious blow with this loss.
Northwestern held a narrow 36-34 lead over the 10th-seed Minnesota Gophers at the break and the contest stayed on-the-edge-of-your seat close throughout the second half, ending in a 61-61 deadlock at the end of regulation. Minnesota jumped out early in the overtime session and outscored the Wildcats by a 14-7 margin.
Minnesota freshman guard Andre Hollins poured in a game-high 25 points, including five in overtime. Sophomore guard JerShon Cobb led Northwestern with 24 points.
With the victory, Minnesota (18-13, 6-12) advances to the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Basketball Championship, where they will go up against No. 2-seed Michigan (23-8, 13-5) on Friday.