University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Blow Past Iowa on Senior Day, 88-53
3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota's three seniors weren't about to lose in their final regular season appearance at Williams Arena, and the trio played a key role as the Golden Gophers never trailed during an 88-53 dismantling of the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday evening.
Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson, and Devron Bostick were honored in a pregame ceremony, and then proceeded to combine for 38 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots, and four steals in leading the Gophers to the blowout victory over the rival Hawkeyes. Westbrook connected on 7-of-10 field goals for a game-high 20 points, while Johnson dished out a career-high 11 assists to go along with 10 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and three steals, and Bostick finished with eight points and four boards.
The Gophers (18-12, 9-9 Big Ten), who will be the sixth seed in next weekend's Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, used a 17-0 run midway through the first half to turn an 18-10 lead with 10:56 left into a 35-10 advantage at the 4:40 mark. Minnesota stretched its lead to as many as 37 points late in the game before finishing with the 35-point margin of victory. It was the Gophers' largest margin of victory against the Hawkeyes since the initial game in the series, a 49-10 win at home on March 1, 1902.
In addition to the great performances by Minnesota's seniors, the Gophers benefitted from a 17-point effort by sophomore guard Devoe Joseph, who made 6-of-7 field goals, including 3-of-4 three-pointers. Junior guard Blake Hoffarber and sophomore center Colton Iverson each finished with nine points for the Gophers, with Hoffarber making both of his three-point attempts to tie Minnesota's career record for treys with 191.
As a team, Minnesota made 31-of-53 (.585) field goals, including 12-of-19 (.632) attempts from beyond the three-point arc. Iowa (10-21, 4-14) made 20-of-47 (.426) field goals, but was limited to just 4-of-17 (.235) treys, and committed 14 turnovers in its second loss versus the Gophers this season. The Hawkeyes dropped an 86-74 decision in Iowa City on Jan. 2.
Iowa, which will be the ninth seed in the Big Ten Tournament, was led by 16 points from Aaron Fuller, while Eric May and Matt Gatens each added 10 points. Jarryd Cole finished with eight points and led the Hawkeyes with six rebounds.
Minnesota will open the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday evening, facing 11th-seeded Penn State at Conseco Fieldhouse. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
