Like several other times this season, the Minnesota womenâÄôs basketball team clawed its way out of a double-digit deficit.

But the Gophers couldnâÄôt finish off the rally Friday.

The Gophers (3-3) fell to San Diego State in the semifinals of the Nugget Classic in Reno, Nev. 61-59 Friday night.

Neither team could pull away from each other in the early going, with seven lead changes in the first 13 minutes.

San Diego State launched a 12-0 run to go up 36-24 with four minutes left in the first half, but the Gophers pulled within five, and went into the half down 39-34.

The Gophers found themselves down by 11 points midway through the second, but fought back yet again. Sophomore Leah CottonâÄôs layup with 42 seconds left in the game put the Gophers within two.

But CottonâÄôs jumper with just six seconds remaining failed to tie the game, and the GophersâÄô comeback fell short.

Senior Kiara Buford led the Gophers with 19 points, while Cotton added 12 from the bench. Sophomore Katie Loberg made her first appearance since injuring her left knee two weeks ago against Wisconsin-Green Bay, and finished with nine points.

The Gophers will face North Carolina State in the consolation game Saturday at 5:00 p.m.