By Michael Marot
The Associated Press

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Jeff Newton didn't have to check himself into the game Tuesday night. He just stayed in and kept making plays. Newton scored 22 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds in his home finale, and Bracey Wright added six 3-pointers and 21 points to lead Indiana past Minnesota 74-70.

"That's my plan every night, to attack those guys and put pressure on them and get them in foul trouble," Newton said.

Newton was sensational in one of Indiana's (18-10, 8-7 Big Ten) most critical games.

The victory Tuesday night assured them of a non-losing record in Big Ten play, a key factor for a team that does not yet believe it is assured of an NCAA tournament bid.

But Newton saved one of his best all-around performances for his final appearance at Assembly Hall.

He pulled down nine offensive rebounds, made all eight of his free throws, helped Indiana get off to a good start with 14 first-half points and was strong enough inside to get Minnesota's leading scorer, Rick Rickert, in foul trouble.

He came out only briefly after hurting his back midway through the second half, and after spending most of the second half on the bench Saturday before rescuing the Hoosiers against Iowa, it was understandable why.

Newton didn't want to be forgotten a second straight game. He wasn't.

"I thought Jeff was great tonight," coach Mike Davis said. "It definitely makes up for the last two games."

Newton wasn't the only Hoosier playing well.

Indiana's outside shooting returned, too. Wright, a freshman, led the way with a season-high six 3s, and the Hoosiers matched their season-best with 13 3s. They also set a school record by hitting at least 10 for the fourth straight game.

The Hoosiers were better defensively, too, limiting Minnesota to 8-of-27 shooting on 3-pointers and outrebounding the Golden Gophers 45-37. When they needed stops in the closing minutes, Indiana got those, too.

Jerry Holman led the Golden Gophers (16-10, 8-7) with 17 points, while Rickert added 15, but they were no match for Indiana's shooters or Newton.

"Newton was a handful for our big guys and with a three- or four-guard lineup out there, it was very difficult for us," said Minnesota coach Dan Monson.

Minnesota opened the game in a zone, and the Hoosiers wasted no time taking advantage.

Wright connected on three 3-pointers in the game's first 4:04. By halftime, Indiana already had hit seven 3s and led 43-36.

But the Gophers rallied by scoring the first seven points of the second half, tying the score on Rickert's 3-pointer with 18:03 to go.

The Golden Gophers took a 53-52 with 12:53 left, but then things began going awry.

Kyle Hornsby, also playing his last home game, hit a 3-pointer. A few moments later, Monson, upset with the officials, kicked the scorer's table near midcourt. No technical was called, but Minnesota's Michael Bauer drew an offensive foul on the next possession, and Wright answered with another 3 to make it 58-53.

"I've been saying since Day One that we have pretty good shooters, and if they leave us open, we're going to hit them," Hornsby said.

The inside-out combination worked again in the closing minutes.

After Minnesota closed to 65-64 with 5:19 to go, Newton drew a foul and made two free throws and Hornsby hit a 3-pointer to rebuild the lead to 70-64 with 2:48 left.

The Gophers still had a chance to force overtime when A.J. Moye made 1-of-2 in the game's final minutes, but Kevin Burleson missed a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left, and Rickert missed a 3 with 17 seconds left.

The Hoosiers made three free throws, the last by the Hoosiers' other senior, Tom Coverdale, to seal the win.

"It was great," Newton said. "It's good to go out on a good note, especially when you win."