Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - Ralph Sampson III scored 17 points to lead No. 23 Minnesota past High Point, 82-56, at Williams Arena. Lawrence Westbrook added 13 points for the Golden Gophers (12-0), who are three wins shy of tying the school record for best start to a season which was set in the 1901-1902 season. Devron Bostick and Devoe Joseph finished with 11 points apiece. Eugene Harris totaled 18 points for the Panthers (4-8), who have dropped three in a row. Steadman Short chipped in 13 points and seven boards in defeat. A pair of three-pointers from Westbrook and a free throw from Damian Johnson gave the Golden Gophers an early 14-5 lead. The Panthers clawed their way back to within four points, but the Gophers responded with a 10-0 run. Westbrook and Colton Iverson sparked the surge with back-to-back layups, Sampson kept it going with five straight points and Johnson closed it out for a 30-16 Minnesota lead with just over six minutes left in the half. Moments later, Paul Carter's jumper set the tone for a 19-3 Minnesota run to close out the half. Bostick scored the final eight Golden Gophers points of the spurt to give the home team a 49-23 lead at the break. Blake Hoffarber's steal and coast-to-coast layup gave Minnesota a 69-42 lead right around the midway point of the second half. High Point failed to close within 20 points down the stretch. Game Notes Minnesota will play Michigan State on New Year's Eve. High Point will face Coastal Carolina on January 3...Minnesota will begin the Big Ten portion of the schedule after Sunday's clash...The game marked the first-ever meeting between Minnesota and High Point on the hardwood. |
