Gophers lose; Rickert mum

NEW YORK (AP) -- Even though he won, Bob Knight would have rather not played the NIT consolation game.

"I was really worried about being ready to play," Knight said. "I don't think there's anything harder to do than playing in a consolation game. No team wants to come here and lose two games."

Knight's concerns were well-founded. His team blew a 19-point lead before holding on to win, 71-61 over Minnesota on Thursday night.

Andre Emmett led Texas Tech with 23 points and eight rebounds. Robert Tomaszek scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half.

The Golden Gophers (19-14) went on a 20-9 run to tie the game at 54 with less than six minutes remaining. Rick Rickert, who might have played his last game at Minnesota, came alive in time to spark the run with seven points.

National Invitation Tournament

Championship Round

Thursday, April 3

Third Place

Texas Tech 71, Minnesota 61

Championship

St. John's 70, Georgetown 67

But Texas Tech held on, sinking seven of eight free throws in the final 1:04. In their semifinal loss Tuesday night, the Red Raiders blew a 10-point lead to St. John's.

Rickert, a lithe sophomore listed at 6-foot-11 and 216 pounds, finished with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting. Michael Bauer led the Gophers with 14 points, nine on 3-pointers.

Rickert has said he has decided whether he will return for his junior season or declare for the NBA draft. He has not disclosed his plans yet, and underclassmen have until May 12 to declare for the draft. As long as he doesn't hire an agent, Rickert has until June 19 to withdraw his name before the draft on June 26.

"I can't answer that right now," Rickert said. "I'll know in a week or so."

Minnesota sleepwalked through most of the first half in front of a nearly silent Madison Square Garden. The Gophers had to rally just to make it 37-24 at the half. Rickert missed all five of his field goal attempts, turned the ball over three times, and scored one point.

If it was Rickert's last college game, he went out on a sour note.

"It's no fun going out like that," Rickert said. "I was disappointed in my play as an individual and in our play as a team."

The Red Raiders also won at Minnesota 99-89 in overtime on Dec. 28.

Meanwhile, St. John's turned a mediocre season into a splendid one, beating Georgetown 70-67 for their record sixth NIT title.

On March 2, St. John's was 12-12. A 72-71 win over Duke changed everything. The Red Storm (21-13) finished the season with wins in nine of their last 10 games, including rallies in the NIT semifinals.

MINNESOTA (19-14)

Bauer 5-8 1-1 14, Rickert 3-12 1-2 8, Holman 3-7 2-2 8, Burleson 1-4 2-2 5, Hargrow 3-12 2-2 9, Hagen 2-2 1-2 5, Johnson 2-4 1-2 5, Esselink 0-1 0-0 0, Gaines 2-2 2-2 7. Totals 21-52 12-15 61.

TEXAS TECH (22-13)

Emmett 11-17 1-2 23, Marshall 3-4 2-2 8, Tomaszek 7-13 2-2 18, Powell 8-12 1-4 17, Ross 0-3 2-2 2, Doudney 0-3 0-0 0, Chavis 1-6 0-0 3, Michalec 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-58 8-12 71.

Halftime--Texas Tech 37-24. 3-Point Goals--Minnesota 7-19 (Bauer 3-6, Gaines 1-1, Rickert 1-2, Burleson 1-4, Hargrow 1-5, Esselink 0-1), Texas Tech 3-14 (Tomaszek 2-4, Chavis 1-5, Marshall 0-1, Ross 0-1, Doudney 0-3). Fouled out--Burleson. Rebounds--Minnesota 22 (Holman 6), Texas Tech 39 (Emmett, Tomaszek 8). Assists--Minnesota 14 (Burleson 7), Texas Tech 19 (Chavis 7). Total fouls--Minnesota 17, Texas Tech 13. A--NA.