Minnesota Golden Gophers Knock Off No. 8 Purdue at Williams Arena

After a shaky start to 2011, Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach Tubby Smith was hoping that Thursday night would be a statement game for his squad. A 1-3 start to Big Ten conference play has the Gophers reeling for a big win.

After getting word that guard Devoe Joseph would be granted a transfer to the University of Oregon, the state of the Gophers hit a low point this past Tuesday when star forward Trevor Mbakwe was arrested for violation of a 2009 restraining order.

After a review of the circumstances surrounding the violation itself, Smith deemed it unnecessary to suspend Mbakwe, stating rather that the incident would be used as a learning experience for the team as a whole.

The Purdue Boilermakers, on the other hand, have been streaking of late. On a current 10-game winning streak, the team hadn’t lost since an upset at home against Richmond.

JaJuan Johnson (19.4 ppg) and E'twaun Moore (18.8 ppg) have played a huge role in bringing the Boilermakers to their 15-1 record. The Boilermakers are also benefiting from the improved play of guard Ryan Smith, who is averaging 17 points in conference play.

The Boilermakers relied on their star in getting off to a fast start at Williams Arena, led by 18 first half points from JaJuan Johnson who would finish with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds.

Gopher guard Blake Hoffarber provided a much-needed spark for the team early on, scoring 12 first half points.

Embattled forward Trevor Mbakwe would make his entrance into the game at just 3:44, the length of time that would turn out to be Mbakwe's punishment for this week's transgressions. His contributions would remain mostly on the boards, as he would finish with seven points, but haul in 10 rebounds.

Hoffarber and the Gophers would get off to a hot start in the second half, at one point leading by eight points before Purdue would close the gap and eventually take the lead with nine minutes to go in the game.

Hoffarber would even the score with a pair of free throws at the eight-minute mark of the second half and finish with a team high 26 points on 10 of 15 shooting (four-six from three-point range).

After an Al Nolen steal, the Gophers would have a chance to take the lead, but a Rodney Williams turnover would put the ball back in the hands of the Boilermakers.

The two teams traded baskets for much of the last few minutes of the game, but a three-pointer by guard Al Nolen would put the Gophers up for good, as the team would knock off the No. 8 Boilermakers 70-67.

The win couldn't have come at a better time for the Gophers, who will look to build on the win as the team plays host to the Iowa Hawkeyes (0-4 in Big Ten play) on Sunday.

Upcoming: Both teams will be in action on Sunday as the the Gophers will play host to the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-9; 0-4). The Boilermakers will be in West Virginia for a non-conference clash with the Mountaineers (10-4; 2-2).