University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Overwhelm Northeastern (Okla.) State
11/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Gophers opened their exhibition season tonight with a 109-59 win over Northeastern (Okla.) State. Playing in its first game since the team's preseason trip to Canada in August, Minnesota jumped out to an early lead and cruised to the victory over the NCAA Division II RiverHawks.
Senior captain Blake Hoffarber led the Gophers with 20 points, including 15 first-half points on five of six shooting from behind the arc. The Minnetonka native finished the night six of eight from three-point range for his game-high point total, while also pulling down four rebounds and dishing out six assists.
Juniors Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson were also impressive in their first action of the year. Sampson recorded 17 points and eight rebounds, while Iverson added 12 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. In his first game as a Gopher, after having to sit out all of last year, Trevor Mbakwe looked solid with 13 points and three rebounds.
Guard Dominique Gaines led all Northeastern State scorers with 18 points, edging teammate Antoine Branch by one point for the team high.
Tonight's game was the first of two exhibitions the Gophers will host before officially opening their season at home on Friday, Nov. 12, against Wofford. Minnesota will play its final exhibition on Monday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., when it welcomes Winona State to The Barn.
