Men’s basketball: Gophers’ free-throw struggles prove costly in loss to San Francisco

posted in: All news | 0

San Francisco controlled the glass and tempo Saturday evening at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., as the Dons led wire to wire to beat the Gophers men’s basketball team 77-65.

A combination of frontcourt foul trouble, sluggish first-half scoring and inability to capitalize on free throws contributed to Minnesota’s second nonconference loss. Gophers coach Niko Medved said Jaylen Crocker-Johnson’s foul trouble hurt the Gophers (4-2), but touched on a familiar issue that’s haunted Minnesota.

“The two stats I look at right now are they had 11 made threes and we were 15 of 30 from the free-throw line,” Medved said. “Another team makes 11 threes, and you miss 15 free throws. That’s pretty hard to overcome.”

Gophers center Robert Vaihola, who had started each of Minnesota’s first five games, was out with a knee injury. Sophomore big man Nehemiah Turner stepped into his position in the starting lineup after not playing in any of Minnesota’s previous three contests.

Dons’ leading scorer Ryan Beasley knocked down a 3-pointer on their opening possession, and from that point on, San Francisco (5-1) never trailed.

Minnesota utilized a zone defense against Chicago State on Tuesday when the Cougars seized momentum in the second half. Medved deployed it earlier versus the Dons, who saw it 12 minutes into the game and led 21-18.

The Gophers shot 34.8% from the field before the break, and their free-throw shooting woes continued, going 7 for 13 (53.8%) at the charity stripe. Despite that, Minnesota remained within striking distance, trailing 34-27 at the half.

Cade Tyson — who entered Saturday as the Big Ten’s leading scorer, averaging 23.4 points — only registered two field-goal attempts in the first half. The North Carolina transfer had five points at halftime, thanks to three free throws and a layup.

Minnesota hung around in the second and went on an 8-0 run midway through the second half to tie it, 52-52, but the Dons responded. It was a charge led by Langston Reynolds and Crocker-Johnson.

Reynolds, a sparkplug off the bench on both ends of the court, led Minnesota with 16 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.

Medved said Reynolds is at his best when he is crashing the paint and getting to the rim.

“It was really good to see him, you know, get aggressive and get on the attack, and get in the lane, and he was really causing problems,” Medved said.

Beasley responded to Minnesota’s run with another one of his four 3-pointers. He led the contest in scoring, finishing with 24 points and four assists.

Foul trouble plagued the Gophers as top frontcourt option Crocker-Johnson left the game with six minutes to play after picking up his fourth foul. Crocker-Johnson re-entered three minutes later but fouled out with 2:07 to go and Minnesota trailing 64-58.

San Francisco countered every punch the Gophers threw down the stretch to claim a 77-65 Power Four nonconference victory at a neutral site.

The Gophers finished with nine assists to 12 turnovers, a product of stagnant offensive possessions due to the Dons’ swarming defense. Medved said his team was not “nasty” enough on defense, but San Francisco’s pressure caused problems for his squad.

“I thought we got a little bit sped up at times, on offense,” Medved said. “They got after us, and we kind of rushed some things and probably left some plays out there.”

Related Articles


Women’s hockey: Mavericks complete sweep of No. 2 Gophers


Gophers’ P.J. Fleck addresses defensive issues after Northwestern loss


Struck out: Gophers cough up lead in 38-35 loss to Northwestern at Wrigley Field


Gophers to be without top tackler and key cornerback vs. Northwestern


Men’s basketball: Tommies win on buzzer-beating heave

Gifts sure to delight any beauty or product enthusiast

posted in: All news | 0

These gifts will thrill beauty product enthusiasts

Gift shopping is often a challenge, but when your loved one has a special interest, ideas are definitely easier to come by. If you have friends and family members who can’t get enough of beauty products, there is no shortage of items that will make their day. In fact, you may have a tough time deciding between all the options.

But all the options don’t have to overwhelm you. To help you focus your shopping, we’ve gathered our favorite gifts for beauty and product lovers. From hair styling tools to cream blushes to face masks, there is something that every beauty enthusiast on your list will absolutely love.

Best gifts for beauty lovers

Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer

Get a spa-like facial at home with this convenient facial steamer. It uses microsteam technology to deliver a clean, hydrated complexion in as few as nine minutes. Its wide nozzle ensures that the steam reaches your entire face, while the carrying handle makes it easy to travel with.

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush

This beginner-friendly cream blush blends into the skin like a dream, providing a natural flush that never looks cakey. It contains vitamin E to condition the skin and offers a radiant finish that adds a soft glow. It is available in 12 shades, too, so there’s an option to flatter every skin tone.

Abib Pink Me UP PDRN 3-Step Glow Kit

This three-piece kit is designed to give you a healthy, glowing complexion with premium ingredients, including vegan PDRN, retinal, collagen and hyaluronic acid. The eye patches help reduce under-eye dark circles and puffiness, while the lip mask soothes and hydrates dry lips. The firming face mask helps plump and brighten the skin overnight, so you wake up looking glowy and refreshed.

Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer

This multipurpose styling tool can dry, curl, smooth and straighten all hair types without damaging your hair. It features intelligent heat controls that prevent the temperature from exceeding 302 degrees, ensuring hair looks healthy and shiny. It comes with six versatile attachments, making it ideal for both straight and wavy hair.

ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

Keep your lips hydrated and smooth with this easy-to-wear tinted lip balm. It contains moisturizing ingredients such as sea succulent, rosehip oil and shea butter to hydrate and soothe dry lips. The buttery formula also has a sheer tint of color that’s perfect for no-makeup makeup looks and comes in eight wearable shades.

NuFACE TRINITY + Microcurrent Facial Device Kit

This science-backed skin care device uses microcurrent technology, providing a low-level electric current to help lift and tighten the skin. The set includes a hydrating gel to boost moisture for up to 24 hours and a brightening cream that also helps firm. Best of all, using the device with the products provides both instant and long-term results.

DRMTLGY Brightening Eye Masks

It won’t matter how little sleep you got the night before when you use these brightening eye masks. They are infused with high-quality ingredients, such as caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, to help reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles. They are safe for all skin types, making them an excellent addition to any skincare routine.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

This body cream absorbs quickly into the skin and instantly helps smooth its appearance. It contains caffeine-rich guarana to tighten the skin and cupuacu butter to hydrate. In addition to its skin care benefits, it also offers a delicious fragrance with notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio.

Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask

Wake up to bright, hydrated, plump skin with this overnight mask. Its vegan formula contains vitamin C and antioxidant-rich berries to help treat dullness, uneven skin tone and environmental damage. In addition to functioning as a sleeping mask, it also works well as a daily moisturizer for dry skin.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

This easy-to-use set lets you achieve beautiful curls without heat. It works for all hair types, preventing frizz, breakage, and other damage. The curling rod is made entirely of satin and is comfortable to sleep in, so you wake up with perfect curls. It also includes two satin scrunchies to secure your hair to the rod.

Live Tinted Huestick

If you’re a fan of easy-to-apply, multitasking makeup, this twist-up crayon is for you. It can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, allowing you to achieve a chic monochromatic look in no time. It also contains good-for-the-skin ingredients, such as squalene and hyaluronic acid, and blends in easily with just your fingers.

Masktini Night Ranger Overnight Renewal Mask

This antiaging overnight mask contains AHAs, retinol and papaya enzymes to exfoliate the skin and smooth texture without irritation. It also helps brighten dull skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots for a more youthful appearance. It uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, too, making it appear plumper.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Prep Bowl: Spring Lake Park defense holds up to beat Chanhassen for Class 5A title

posted in: All news | 0

Down by three with 3:32 to play, Chanhassen had an opportunity for a championship drive. Across the line of scrimmage, the Spring Lake Park defense wanted to clinch the school’s first state title in a generation.

Advantage Panthers.

Spring Lake Park made two late defensive stops to beat Chanhassen 24-21 in the Class 5A Prep Bowl on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. It was a true team effort that earned the school its second state football championship but first since 1991.

Pressure from Panthers’ defensive end Jamal Smith forced a third-down incompletion on the second-to-last drive for the Storm. On 4th-and-7 with 1:49 left, the senior Smith nearly got to the quarterback again, but his pressure was enough to force an incompletion.

Up 24-21, any Spring Lake Park celebrations turned out to be premature.

The Panthers subsequently went three-and-out, giving Chanhassen one last opportunity with 1:20 left. The Storm started from their 1-yard line where Calen Truckenbrod’s lofty punt was downed. Nine plays later, the Storm were at the Spring Lake Park 33 with 25 seconds remaining.

A fourth-down pass was intercepted by Cade Skelly and the 13-0 Panthers could celebrate — officially.

Spring Lake quarterback Nolan Roach ran for 162 yards and two scores, and tossed a touchdown. Lemari Brown finished with 58 powerful, between-the-tackles rushing yards and the defense forced four turnovers against a Storm squad averaging more than 32 points per game. Skelly had 15 tackles, eight solo.

Nathan Ramler was 27 of 47 for 240 yards for Chanhassen (11-2). Peyton Ramsey ran for 104 yards.

Down 24-14 late in the third quarter, Chanhassen put together a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Ramsey scoring from the 10 on fourth down 1:24 into the fourth quarter.

Spring Lake Park led by seven at the break, and Sam Wolde’s 25-yard field goal capped a 15-play, 81-yard third-quarter drive to make it 24-14. The trek took 7:37.

A seesaw opening 24 minutes ended with Spring Lake Park holding a 21-14 lead thanks to a late 38-yard touchdown reception by Kaden Konkler and the Panther defense coming up big in the closing minute.

From the Panthers’ 5 with 1:07 left, the Storm lost a yard over the next two plays. Out of a timeout on third down and with 35 seconds left, Ramler dropped back but was pressured by Braden Hemquist. The lineman forced a fumble that was recovered by Isaac Olson.

A 38-yard Roach run gave the Panthers an early 7-0 lead, but Ramler’s 1-yard run evened the game less than three minutes later.

Three plays after Chase Warner recovered a fumble early in the second quarter, Roach scored from 53 yards away for a 14-7 Panthers lead. But, again, Chanhassen responded. This time it was a 16-yard fourth-down touchdown reception by Bush that capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game.

Class 3A

Wide receiver/safety Colton Purcell threw a touchdown pass and tied a Prep Bowl record with three interceptions, and Annandale beat Waseca 17-7 in Class 3A for the school’s first football title.

Via a double-pass play, Purcell took a backwards throw from Michael Kovall and found Gabriel Westman behind the defense late in the third quarter. Westman’s 25-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave the Cardinals a 10-0 lead.

Kellen Klinger had a rushing touchdown for the Bluejays (12-1).

9-Player

Jamin Metzger threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, and Hills-Beaver Creek routed Hillcrest Lutheran 46-22 for the 9-Player crown.

Brodie Metzger ran for 126 yards and had 99 receiving yards for the 13-0 Patriots, who outgained the Comets 481-258.

Ethan Swedberg threw two touchdown passes for Hillcrest Lutheran (12-1).

Related Articles


Saturday’s Prep Bowl state title game predictions


Prep Bowl: Chase Bjorgaard, Edina beat Moorhead for Class 6A title


Prep Bowl: Minneota, Orono, Jackson County Central win state championships


High School Football: How Spring Lake Park re-established its culture to reach the Prep Bowl


Girls hockey: ‘Out of this world’ start for Sarah Johnson has Mounds View/Irondale undefeated

Women’s hockey: Mavericks complete sweep of No. 2 Gophers

posted in: All news | 0

Mercury Bischoff’s hat trick included a go-ahead power-play goal as Minnesota State Mankato finished a weekend sweep of No. 2 Minnesota with a 4-1 victory Saturday afternoon in Mankato.

Bischoff’s third goal was an empty netter with 1 minute, 48 seconds left that clinched the Mavericks’ first sweep against their WCHA rival since 2006.

Josefin Bouveng tied the game for the Gophers (12-4-0, 8-4-0) off an assist by Abbey Murphy in the first period, but Mavericks goalie Hailey Hansen made 27 saves as the Mavericks (8-7-1, 4-7-1) scored the next three goals, one from Whitney Tuttle to take a 3-1 lead into the third period.

The Mavericks won, 3-1, Friday night at Ridder Arena before completing the sweep at Mayo Clinic Event Center.