SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Trevor Mbakwe had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Ralph Sampson III scored 22 points and Minnesota beat Western Kentucky 95-77 on Thursday night in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Rodney Williams scored 17 points, and Blake Hoffarber had 16 points and nine assists for the Golden Gophers (3-0). They’ll move on to play No. 8 North Carolina on Friday in the eight-team tournament.
Steffphon Pettigrew scored 25 points and Sergio Kerusch had 13 for Western Kentucky (2-1).
Pettigrew hit two 3-pointers late to make it a 10-point game. The comeback was too late against a balanced Minnesota team that may be coach Tubby Smith’s best one yet.
The Golden Gophers went 21 for 31 from the field in the second half.
