NEW YORK – Amir Coffey's return sparked the Gophers to a 10-point lead in the first half Saturday against Ohio State, but it wasn't enough to overcome frontcourt depth problems that have plagued them during a tough stretch.
Coffey, who finished with 11 points, came back a few weeks earlier than expected from a right shoulder injury that caused the talented sophomore guard to miss five games.
The Gophers won only one game during Coffey's absence. But they fell to 1-5 without suspended center Reggie Lynch in a 67-49 loss to the No. 22 Buckeyes in front of an announced 4,136 at Madison Square Garden.
"It was nice to have him back," Gophers coach Richard Pitino said about Coffey, who shot 5-for-9 in 35 minutes. "He's probably not in great shape, but he showed great heart. As much as it's nice to have Amir back, he had one practice [Friday]. From a continuity standpoint, when you lose two [players] and put one back in, it's difficult."
Keita Bates-Diop had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Ohio State (17-4, 8-0 Big Ten), which outscored the Gophers 40-20 on points in the paint and scored 20 points off turnovers.
Jordan Murphy had 13 points to lead four players in double figures, but the Gophers (14-8, 3-5) shot 29 percent in the second half, committed 15 turnovers and missed 10 free throws.
Ohio State finished with 46 points, 26 rebounds and three blocks from frontcourt players Bates-Diop, Jae'Sean Tate, Kaleb Wesson and Micah Potter.
The Gophers got little production inside other than Murphy. Bakary Konate, who has started the past six games at center in place of Lynch, Gaston Diedhiou and Davonte Fitzgerald combined for no points, one block, three turnovers and eight rebounds in 46 minutes.
Lynch is out indefinitely while appealing a university ruling he was responsible for an alleged sexual misconduct incident in 2016. Last season's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year still leads the conference with 66 blocks. His 10 points and eight rebounds per game are also sorely missed.
"It's hard from a low-post standpoint," Pitino said. "Bakary and Gas are not great down there."
Coffey's presence helped give the Gophers a 20-10 lead after a layup from Murphy midway into the first half. They maintained a five-point advantage after a floater from Coffey at 8:13. But the Buckeyes took control with a 17-0 run sparked by three consecutive three-pointers, and led 38-31 at halftime.
"I only got one practice in before this game, so we got to get our chemistry back," Coffey said. "For myself, I was kind of out of shape as you guys can see."
Murphy gave the Gophers section at MSG a scare when he landed awkwardly on Diedhiou's foot around the 12-minute mark in the second half. He limped into the locker room gimpy on his left leg but soon returned to the court.
Murphy returned a few minutes later, but Ohio State's 9-0 run put the game away, building a 60-40 lead at 7:33.
Two years ago, the Big Ten announced Minnesota being a part of the third annual "Super Saturday" hoops-hockey doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. The Gophers men's hockey team was matched up against Michigan State in the night event.
Pitino complained during the week about playing a third consecutive game away from home Saturday, the program's first such stretch since 2002. The Gophers won 95-84 in overtime Monday at Penn State and lost 77-66 Thursday at Maryland.
"I don't try to complain much," Pitino said. "I know it's not easy to make scheduling. I already talked about it and said my piece. Our guys are tired. We need to go home."
