University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Get Past Trinity, 80-68
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball team went up against a tough and physical Trinity Western team tonight but came away with an 80-68 victory at Langley Events Center in Langley, British Columbia in game two of a three-game tour of the Vancouver area.
Against British Columba Thursday night Minnesota jumped out to an early lead and led by double-digits for much of the game. Tonight's matchup against the Spartans was a different story. The Gophers did lead by as many as 15 points but Trinity shot 45 percent from the floor in the second half, including 45.5 percent from three-point range, to keep the game close.
The Spartans got a close as two points with five minutes remaining but a couple treys by Blake Hoffarber and Devoe Joseph seemingly took the breath out of the Trinity faithful.
Minnesota was led offensively by Joseph, who finished with 15 points and five assists off the bench. Fellow Canadian Mo Walker collected his second double-double in as many nights with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Hoffarber went 4-for-8 from three-point land and finished with 14 points while Iverson chipped in with 12 points and five boards in 16 minutes. Junior Trevor Mbakwe also scored in double figures with 11 points to go along with six rebounds and three blocks. Trinity's Jacob Doerksen, the reigning conference player of the year, led all scorers with 23 points.
Minnesota's final game of its Canadian Tour will take place on Sunday, Sept. 5 against the University of Victoria. The game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Central.
