I will add that i recall the offense looking completely different w MN in there at center. Think more motion (both purposeful cuts to the rim, and chaotic movement), less predictable sets, and stronger rebounding (i think). Frenzied play - i recall it looking sloppy on the offense with a lot of second chances due to rebounding. Would be interesting to look at the actual team and individual stats from those minutes and qualify if that period was a win due to better play, or simply young guys out hustling MS to the ball.
We started the game with Young, Beran, Audige, Buie and Berry.
Four minutes in, NU was leading 4-2. (neither team had it going)
Nicholson and Roper were sent in for Young and Berry.
So Nicholson, Beran, Audige, Buie and Roper
MSU tied it 4-4.
Audige hit a 3 pointer, assist to Nicholson.
Nicholson got a defensive board.
Beran hit a 3 on the break. NU up 10-4.
Audige then stole the ball, but the clock stopped (not sure why) and Collins removed Audige and Roper, replacing with Simmons and Greer. Nicholson scored inside, assisted by Buie, to go up 12-4.
Young replaced Nicholson and played with 1 or 2 starters for the next 3:30 and we got outscored 10-3, making it 15-14 with 10:09 left in the half.
Nicholson was then put out there with Beran, Audige, Buie and Berry (all starters).
Buie got a steal but Berry missed a 3. MSU hit a 3 to take the lead. Buie missed a 3.
MSU scored over Nicholson. 19-15 MSU. Guy who scored then "cheap shots" Nicholson on other end of floor, picks up foul.
Beran hit a 3 pointer, assist to Buie, MSU turned it over.
Audige hit another 3, assist to Nicholson. NU back in front 21-19.
MSU misses a 3, Audige rebounds but turns it over and fouls.
Collins brings Young back in for Nicholson.
Buie hits a 3, assist to Young. MSU scores to make it 24-23 NU.
Young gets dinged with a bogus offensive foul and goes back to bench at 6:35.
Nicholson now out there with Beran, Audige, Buie and Roper.
MSU misses a 3. Nicholson rebounds. Roper scores a jumper. MSU makes a layup.
Audige makes a 3 pointer, assist to Buie. MSU makes a 3. 29-28 NU with 5:30 left in half.
Audige misses a 3. Nicholson gets offensive rebound, gets fouled, makes 1 of 2 free throws.
Greer replaces Buie with 4:59 left in the half, NU leading 30-28. The offense stalls with Nicholson, Beran, Roper and 0 or 1 starter on the court.
With 2:45 left in the half, Audige returns to game, so it is Nicholson, Buie, Beran, Audige and Simmons.
NU leads 31-30.
Nicholson commits his 2nd foul. Marble makes both free throws. Buie makes a 3, assisted by Audige. MSU misses a 2. Buie rebounds. Simmons makes jumper, assist to Buie. MSU misses a 3, Beran rebounds. Simmons misses a short shot. MSU turns it over. Beran misses a jumper. Nicholson grabs offensive rebound and scores, putting NU up 38-32 with 49 seconds left in half.
Nicholson commits 3rd foul and we play last 40 seconds of half with no center.
38-33 at the break.
Nicholson only played 2 shifts in the 2nd half, never playing with more than 2 starters. A total of 2:25. We scored 2 points, MSU scored 2 points.
Young, Beran, Audige, Buie and Roper played the last 5:11 as a unit, scoring 10, allowing 10 and holding on for a huge win.
