By Chris
Monter
FOXSportsNorth.com
January
13, 2011
The Minnesota Golden Gophers got a much-needed win with a 70-67 victory over No. 8 Purdue. They had started the Big Ten season 1-3 with all three losses being on the road to nationally ranked teams and had the distraction of the Trevor Mbakwe arrest this week.
Minnesota improved to 13-4 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, while Purdue slipped 15-2 and 4-1 in conference action.
Minnesota led 41-40 at halftime as Blake Hoffarber made five of seven first half shots, including two 3-pointers as he paced the Golden Gophers with 12 points.
Purdue senior standout JaJuan Johnson counter-punched with Hoffarber as both seniors were almost unstoppable in the first twenty minutes. Johnson was eight of 13 and made both shots from beyond the arc as he had 18 points at the break.
Minnesota opened up a 53-45 lead as Hoffarber hit a 3-pointer and another basket. However, the Boilermakers went on a 9-0 run in the next 1:47 to go up by one point.
