Gophers go cold late in 63-58 loss to unbeaten Alabama

Minnesota erased a -point halftime deficit to take two point-point fourth-quarter leads but went cold at crunch time in a - loss to Alabama in the championship of Baha Mar Hoops Classic in Nassau Bahamas on Wednesday Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with points that included a -pointer to give Minnesota a - lead with minutes second left But the Gophers whiffed on two chances to increase that lead After inside misses by Sophie Hart and Mara Braun Alabama s Jessica Timmons hit a -pointer to give the Crimson Tide a - lead Alabama never trailed again The Gophers were for from the field the rest of the way with multiple misses on uncontested layups We missed too a multitude of shots when we were close to the rim and never got caught back up Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit advised KFAN radio after the competition I counted at least five point-blank opportunities at the rim and we just didn t make them Timmons and Essence Cody each scored points for Alabama - Timmons scored fourth-quarter points and her two free throws with seconds that sealed the triumph Grace Grocholski scored of her points in the second half to help the Gophers rebound from a woeful first half Minnesota scored a combined points in the first two quarters and in the third alone to make it a meeting Hart tied the challenge - on a layup with remaining But Hart Grocholski Braun and Amaya Battle all missed layups late I don t think any of the four even got above the rim Plitzuweit communicated KFAN It s hard to win basketball games when you re not efficient from there Glenn finished with points and four assists for the Gophers - who beat South Florida fairly handily on Monday to advance to the championship contest Alabama was the best group Minnesota has played this season We ve got to figure it out Plitzuweit mentioned but I d rather play good competition now to figure it out and get ready for the Big Ten Minnesota is host to Samford on Monday at Williams Arena Tipoff is set for p m Related Articles Gophers football Is star Anthony Smith coming back in Brothers in elbows Gophers Cade Tyson and Nuggets Hunter Tyson Gophers football JUCO safety MJ Graham de-commits from the U Women s Volleyball St Thomas wins Summit League title to punch ticket to D- NCAA Tournament Gophers football Top JUCO receiver Derrick Salley de-commits from the U