Pirate Galaxy » a win against Loyola Marymount, had not los

MINNEAPOLIS -- Much is expected from Minnesotas Jordan Murphy this year.After struggles in the teams first two games, he was dominant Wednesday night.The sophomore scored 18 points and added 12 rebounds and the Gophers pulled away to beat Mount St. Marys 80-56.The Gophers, 3-0 for the first time in three years, also got 13 points each from Dupree McBrayer and Nate Mason.Minnesota, which shot 57.4 percent, also had a 46-25 rebounding edge.There was a lot of good, said Gophers coach Richard Pitino. Our post offense was really good; our passing out of the post was really good.A member of the Big 10 All-Freshman team last year, Murphy totaled 17 points on 5 of 17 shooting in wins over Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-Arlington.Every time you step on the court its a new chance to see where youre at skill-wise . and just see how you can impact the game, said Murphy, who was 8 of 9 from the field.Sometimes he lets certain things zap his energy, whether hes confused by something or whatever, Pitino said. We just talked about playing through that is the most important thing.Junior Robinson scored 16 points to lead Mount St. Marys (0-3), which fell to 0-18 all-time against Big Ten teams. Elijah Long had 11 points and 5 rebounds.The Mountaineers were 7 of 27 on 3-pointers.This is the game where you got to make 14 to 15 threes. We are more than capable of doing that, but we are just coming up short right now and not having enough guys stepping in and knocking them down, said coach Jamion Christian.With Minnesota up 49-42, Murphy scored on a dunk, blocked a 3-pointer by Will Miller and scored on another dunk 5 seconds later. After a media timeout, he scored on a putback for a 13-point lead with 11:10 to play.Back-to-back 3-pointers by Akeem Springs pushed the lead to 19. He and Amir Coffey each finished with 10 points.We dont look at individually how we do, Mason said. Were just looking for the win.FREE THROW CONCERNSMinnesota was 14 of 23 from the free-throw line after shooting 72.2 percent in its first two games.Its early in the season I think feeling comfortable up there, Pitino said. Just got to be confident, stick to the routine.NOT GETTING TURNOVERSLast season, Mount St. Marys forced at least 17 turnovers in a game 18 times and 20 or more on eight occasions. In three games this season, the Mountaineers have forced an average of 12.3: West Virginia and Minnesota had 13 and Iowa State had 11.BIG PICTUREMount St. Marys: The Mountaineers live and die playing up-tempo, with an aggressive full-court pressure on defense and an offense that likes to shoot from beyond the arc. Mount St. Marys showed flashes on both ends, but needs to be more consistent, especially against teams with bigger post players.Minnesota: The Gophers, who went 8-23 last year, including home losses to mid-majors South Dakota, South Dakota State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, continue to advantageously use their depth. This was the third straight game at least five Gophers finished in double figures.UP NEXTMount St. Marys continues its season-opening nine-game road trip Friday at George Mason (1-1) of the Atlantic 10. Mount St. Marys has lost 14 straight non-conference road games.Minnesota is expected to have a tough test Friday when the Gophers welcome St. Johns as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. It will conclude a stretch of three games in five nights at home. The Red Storm (2-0) beat Binghamton 77-61 Monday. Custom Dallas Mavericks Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Jalen Brunson Mavericks Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/dwight-powell-mavericks-jersey/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Steve Nash Jersey . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Jason Kidd Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. The 33rd Maui Invitational tips off Monday and will feature another field loaded with basketball powers.This years field --?Oregon, Tennessee, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, UConn, North Carolina and host Chaminade -- consists of teams that have a combined 14 NCAA championships, 40 Final Four appearances and 192 NCAA tournament appearances.?The winner in Maui has gone on to win the national title four times, with UConn in 2010-11 the most recent. North Carolina has won the Maui title three times.UConn and Oklahoma State play in a quarterfinal at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU and WatchESPN. The winner will play either No. 5 North Carolina or Chaminade on Tuesday.?UConn is making its fourth overall appearance in the Maui Invitational, and has twice won the event. The Huskies are 8-1 all-time in Maui. The last time they won the tournament was during the 2010-11 season when they were led by Kemba Walker, who averaged 30 points per game in the toourney.dddddddddddd?The Huskies, which started 0-2 before a win against Loyola Marymount, had not lost their first two games to open the season since 1968. Their defense remains a mainstay as they are holding teams to 37.6 percent shooting in three games.But the problem resides on offense, as UConn is shooting 38.9 percent, including 60.8 percent from the free-throw line, and is averaging only 61.3 points per game. The Huskies led the nation in free-throw shooting at 79.3 percent last year.?The Huskies, who are likely without freshman guard Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) for the tournament, are led by transfer Terry Larrier and his 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Jalen Adams is averaging 11 points, while senior Rodney Purvis has struggled scoring 5.7 points on 28 percent shooting.?-- John Silver ' ' '