[ad_1]
Freshman Isaac Asuma had missed the front end of a 1-and-1 late in Thursday’s game, but he didn’t let that keep him from knocking down what was almost the game-winning free throws in regulation against Wichita State.
The Cherry, Minn., native was fouled immediately on the inbounds pass with 10 seconds left. He was just 2-for-5 on free throws in six previous games this season, but calmly drilled both shots at the line to take a 57-54 lead against the Shockers.
“Those were obviously huge, especially for a young player,” coach Ben Johnson said. “For him to rebound like that and make those two shots … multiple guys did a lot of really good things. As hard as it is, we have to be able to watch the film and learn from it with a quick turnaround.”
Asuma’s only 6-3 and 190 pounds, but he also grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to lead the Gophers on Thursday. He’s averaged 7.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the last three games off the bench.
Starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. participated in warmups Thursday for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Nov. 9 win vs. Nebraska Omaha.
Mitchell, who averaged 6.5 points and 6.0 assists in two games this season, will be a game-time decision again Friday, according to Johnson. Senior guard Caleb Williams, who hasn’t played this season because of mononucleosis, was also upgraded to questionable.
[ad_2]
Source link