National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 95, Western Kentucky 77
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, November 18, 2010
Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Officials: # Karl Hess, # Jamie Luckie, # Raymond Styons
Attendance: 7205

Minnesota rolled to a 95-77 win against Western Kentucky in the first round of the Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Forward Ralph Sampson III led the Gophers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Every Minnesota starter scored in double digits.

Minnesota (3-0) once again played without guard Devoe Joseph, who is serving an indefinite suspension for violating team rules. Joseph averaged 9.4 points per game last season.

The Hilltoppers (2-1) matched the Gophers early in the game and tied things up at 25-25 with 4:43 to go in the first half, but couldn’t capture the lead. Poor shooting hurt the Hilltoppers, who were 37.5 percent from the field compared to the Gophers’ 62.5 percent accuracy.

Western Kentucky played a high-pressure defense that picked off 12 steals. Minnesota's defense responded with 10 blocks.

Western Kentucky forward Steffphon Pettigrew scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-18 field goal shooting.

Both teams will continue tournament play Friday. Minnesota faces North Carolina and freshman sensation Harrison Barnes, while Western Kentucky will take on Hofstra.
Top Game Performances
 
Western Kentucky   Minnesota
Steffphon Pettigrew 25 Scoring Ralph Sampson III 22
Jamal Crook 6 Assists Blake Hoffarber 9
Sergio Kerusch 13 Rebounds Trevor Mbakwe 10
Steffphon Pettigrew 3 Free Throws Made Al Nolen 6
Ken Brown 4 Steals Blake Hoffarber 2
N/A Blocks Ralph Sampson III 7
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Western Kentucky 77 37.5 10-29 13-20 17 38 0 12
Minnesota 95 62.5 8-15 17-31 19 37 10 4