University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Win Puerto Rico Tip-Off Title
11/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nolen added four assists and Mbakwe had seven rebounds to go along with their respective scoring performances, while Colton Iverson finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Blake Hoffarber made a pair of clutch three pointers down the stretch and ended the game with 12 points on four of nine shooting from three.
Both Mbkawe and Hoffarber were named to the all-tournament team for their stand out performances over the three game stretch. Ralph Sampson III was named to the all-tournament honorable mention team.
West Virginia (3-1) was carried by Casey Mitchell who posted a game high 27 points in the losing effort. Kevin Jones also chipped in with nine points.
Poor free throw shooting plagued West Virginia all night, as the Mountaineers went just 12 of 23 from the line. Minnesota meanwhile converted 74 percent of their free throws attempts, going 26 of 35.
Mitchell scored 16 of the Mountaineers first 20 points; including four three pointers to give West Virginia a 20-11 lead after eight minutes of play. Following Mitchell's hot streak however, Minnesota outscored West Virginia 22 to 12 and went into locker room with a 33-32 halftime lead. Mbakwe led the Gophers with eighth points and five rebounds through the first 20 minutes, while Chip Armelin and Colton Iverson both added six points in the first half.
Minnesota led by as many as eight with 13:08 remaining, but the second half was largely a back and forth affair which came down to the final moments. The Gophers led 73-70 with under 15 seconds remaining when Armelin was able to grab a rebound off a West Virginia miss shot and then make a clutch free throw to ice the game. Armelin finished the contest with seven points and four rebounds.
The Gophers will next play on Wed. Nov. 24 at home against North Dakota State at 7 p.m.
