University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Finish Non-Conference Slate Undefeated
12/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Minnesota men’s basketball team completed its non-conference schedule with an undefeated record after beating Tubby Smith’s alma-mater, High Point, 82-56 Sunday night at Williams Arena.
The 23rd-ranked Gophers, now 12-0 entering Big Ten play, are off to their best start in program history since Minnesota’s 1948-49 squad opened the season 13-0.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Gophers, who are one of only nine teams still unbeaten in Division 1 basketball.
Leading the charge was freshman power forward Ralph Sampson III with a career-high 17 points, six rebounds and three assists. Junior shooting guard Lawrence Westbrook added 13 on 5-of-8 shooting. Junior guard Devron Bostick, sophomore guard Blake Hoffarber and freshman guard Devoe Joseph were a combined 8-of-12 from three-point range and finished with 11 points apiece.
Eugene Harris scored 18 points to pace High Point.
Minnesota led from start to finish, building a 26-point halftime lead and 30-point second half advantage before closing out the Panthers (4-8).
On a chilly night in Minneapolis, it was the Gophers’ hot outside shooting that sparked their dominating victory. Minnesota hit 8-of-14 three-pointers in the first half and finished the game 11-of-24 (45.6%) from behind the arc.
Westbrook, inserted back in Minnesota’s starting lineup by Smith, rewarded the Hall of Fame coach for his decision by hitting three three-pointers before the first TV timeout of the contest to put the Gophers ahead 13-5.
High Point, out of the Big South Conference, would make things interesting for a bit, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 18-15 following a basket by Steadman Short midway through the first half.
But from there, the game was a no-contest.
Utilizing Smith’s ball-line defense to near perfection, the Maroon and Gold began stifling the Panthers, forcing turnovers and holding High Point without a basket for nearly five minutes to open up a double-digit lead.
A three by Hoffarber put Minnesota up 35-20 with 3:45 to go in the first stanza, but for the Gophers, that was just the start of their damage from long range.
Later, Joseph hit back-to-back three’s and Bostick followed by hitting a pair from downtown on Minnesota’s final two possessions of the half, finishing off a 19-3 run for the Gophers over the final 4:27 of the half and giving Minnesota a 49-23 halftime advantage.
The Panthers opened the second half by making 5-of-8 field goals including consecutive three’s by Harris -and cut Minnesota’s lead to 20 at 55-35.
However, that would be as close as High Point would come.
Sampson III connected on a jumper with 7:46 left in regulation to push Minnesota’s advantage to 30 at 75-45.
The Gophers shot 52.5 percent from the field (32-of-61) and held High Point to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor (19-of-56).
Minnesota returns to action on Dec. 31, opening up conference play with an 11 a.m. matchup with Big Ten foe Michigan State at Williams Arena.
