Final – Four Gophers score in double figures as Minnesota defeats Penn State and advances to a quarterfinal against No. 11 Michigan State for a second-straight year. GOPHERS 76, PENN STATE 55.

7:05 1st – The Gophers have made 13 of 17 shots (76 percent) in the second half. Part of it is a weaker opponent, but Minnesota has done well moving the ball around the floor quickly for good shot opportunities. GOPHERS 62, PENN STATE 36.

13:15 1st – The Gophers have hit four 3-pointers in the last 3:20, including the latest by Westbrook, who has scored the last five Minnesota points after a scoreless first half. GOPHERS 49, PENN STATE 29.

15:03 1st – Penn State closed the margin to 33-25 in the first 1:16, but the Gophers scored eight straight to open their largest lead of the half. GOPHERS 41, PENN STATE 27.

Halftime – The Nittany Lions closed with a 9-3 run, including the last five points by Babb, who leads Penn State with eight points. Minnesota outshot Penn State 46 percent to 32 percent in the first half. GOPHERS 29, PENN STATE 20.

3:49 1st – Johnson, playing in his final Big Ten tournament, has scored nine of the last 12 points for Minnesota. He is second on the team to Joseph, who has scored 10. Battle, who has scored at least 20 points in both games against the Gophers, didn’t score until a layup inside the five-minute mark. GOPHERS 28, PENN STATE 15.

7:33 1st – The Gophers are on an 11-0 run, with the latest basket coming on a 3-pointer from Joseph, who has scored eight points. GOPHERS 21, PENN STATE 9.

9:30 1st – Penn State came back to tie at 7-7, but the Gophers have been on a 9-2 run since then, including the last seven points straight. GOPHERS 16, PENN STATE 9.

15:09 1st – The Gophers are making their shots, and the Nittany Lions are not. Penn State has had opportunities, including a couple of layup attempts but has made just one of six shots so far. Minnesota made three of its first four shots. GOPHERS 7, PENN STATE 2.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith has talked recently about his team needing to earn the respect it desires.  In their warm-up before going to the locker room, the players all sported white t-shirts that carried the Minnesota "M" on the front with the word "RESPECT" written underneath.

Penn State Nittany Lions (11-19, 3-15 Big Ten)

F Jr. Andrew Jones
F Jr. David Jackson
F Jr. Jeff Brooks
G So. Chris Babb
G Jr. Talor Battle

Minnesota Gophers (18-12, 9-9 Big Ten)

F Sr. Damian Johnson
C So. Ralph Sampson III
G Sr. Lawrence Westbrook
G Jr. Blake Hoffarber
G So. Devoe Joseph