The Gophers return home for a game against Brown (Ivy League) on Saturday afternoon at Williams Arena.
Final – Hoffarber led the Gophers with a double-double — 13 points and 10 rebounds. He also had four assists. Five other players, including all the starters, scored in double figures. GOPHERS 91, BROWN 55.
11:02 2nd – The reserves entered the game two minutes ago, and Williams and sophomore guard Devoe Joseph have combined to score 9 points since that time. Williams got a large “ooh” from the crowd with a dunk from a high alley-oop pass by Joseph in transition. He later hit a 3-pointer. GOPHERS 75, BROWN 32.
15:12 2nd – The Gophers started the half on a 10-2 run, with Johnson scoring 8 points. He now leads all scorers with 12 points. GOPHERS 61, BROWN 25.
Halftime – Brown closed out the half on a 10-4 run, but Minnesota should hardly feel the damage. The Gophers shot 64 percent (six of 11 from 3-point range) in the first half, while the Bears managed only 21 percent. Nolen is perfect from the field with 10 points, four steals and the only Minnesota turnover. Sampson has 9 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Hoffarber leads all players with six rebounds and four assists. Mullery leads the Bears with 5 points. GOPHERS 51, BROWN 20.
3:00 1st – The Gophers have extended their current run to 26-2 over the last 6:46. Nolen (10 points, three steals) and Westbrook (8 points) have combined for the last 9 points, with Nolen getting a steal and dunk in transition and a 3-pointer a few moments ago. Minnesota is six of nine on 3-point shots. GOPHERS 47, BROWN 10.
7:49 1st – Minnesota continues a hot first half. They’ve scored the last 7 points and are shooting 63 percent in the first half. Freshman forward Rodney Williams has made a long jumper and a nifty layup on a drive. Sampson has hit a pair of long jumpers and has 6 points. He was just fouled inside and will go to the line out of the media timeout. GOPHERS 28, BROWN 8.
10:56 1st – The Gophers 14-0 run was recently snapped by a 3-pointer from Bears guard Steve Gruber, but Gophers freshman guard Justin Cobbs answered with a 3-pointer moments later. Minnesota has made eight of 14 shots (57 percent), while Brown has made two of 10 (two of five from 3-point range). GOPHERS 19, BROWN 6.
15:00 1st – After a brief 3-2 deficit, the Gophers have reeled off 9 straight points. Nolen has 5 points, an assist and a steal. Hoffarber leads all players with three rebounds. Brown has settled for three outside shots out of its six attempts and made just one so far. GOPHERS 11, BROWN
Senior guard Devron Bostick, who was suspended for the first seven games of the season, just warmed up with the team. Head coach Tubby Smith said on Friday that Bostick would be able to play today. The Gophers will feature a new starting lineup today.
Starting Lineups:
Brown Bears (4-5):
F Jr. Peter Sullivan
F Jr. Chris Taylor
C Sr. Matt Mullery
G Jr. Adrian Williams
G Fr. Matt Sullivan
Minnesota Gophers (4-3:
F Sr. Damian Johnson
F So. Ralph Sampson III
G Jr. Blake Hoffarber
G Jr. Al Nolen Jr.
G Sr. Lawrence Westbrook