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March 27, 2003
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Rick Rickert scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds as Minnesota advanced to the NIT semifinals with a 63-58 overtime win over Temple on Thursday night.
The Golden Gophers (19-12) return to the Final Four at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the first time since winning the NIT in 1998. Minnesota will face Georgetown on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The loss ends an improbable final six weeks for the Owls (18-16), who started the season by losing five in a row and 11 of 14, the worst beginning in program history. Temple ended the season by winning 11 of its last 14.
Michael Bauer had 12 points and Maurice Hargrow and Kevin Burleson each scored 11 for Minnesota, which has won three in a row after entering the tournament with five straight losses.
Brian Polk scored 19 points, David Hawkins added 14 and Keith Butler had 10 rebounds for Temple, which was 18-of-67 (30 percent) from the field.
Minnesota scored the first five points of overtime, with a follow layup by Michael Bauer making it 59-54 with 1:42 left. Temple closed to within three twice but the Gophers were 7-of-12 from the foul line in the extra period to seal the win.
In the final minute of regulation, the Gophers, holding a one-point lead, lost the ball out of bounds with 34.6 seconds. Hawkins made one of two free throws to tie it with 13.9 seconds remaining and a last second 3-pointer by Ben Johnson was short.
After the game was tied at 36, there were five lead changes, including an 8-0 run for Minnesota with a jumper by Rickert making it 54-50 with 1:03 left. Polk followed with a 3-pointer with 49.7 seconds left to pull the Owls within one.
Updated on Thursday, Mar 27, 2003 10:06 pm, EST
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