Blake Hoffarber's 26 points helped lead
The Minnesota Golden Gophers were eager to prove they belong in the headlines for beating top teams, not simply for trouble off the court.
Blake Hoffarber's 26 points and sharpened perimeter defense helped the Gophers outlast eighth-ranked Purdue 70-67 on Thursday night. "It felt like the rim was just a little bigger than normal,'' Hoffarber said.
The game itself was just a little bigger than normal, too, given the team's tumultuous week. Hoffarber went 10-for-15 from the field and Al Nolen added 13 points, eight assists and three steals for the Gophers (13-4, 2-3), who watched leading scorer and rebounder Trevor Mbakwe get dropped from the starting lineup due to a misdemeanor charge of violating a harassment restraining order.
"I couldn't be prouder of our kids and their ability to stay focused and overcome some of the distractions we've had of late,'' head coach Tubby Smith said. "It all happens within their heart and within their minds.''
JaJuan Johnson had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Boilermakers (15-2, 4-1 Big Ten), whose 10-game winning streak ended. They also lost for the first time in nine conference road games, dating to last January.
Stanford 58, No. 17
Josh Owens scored the go-ahead basket on a left-handed tip-in with 29 seconds left and Stanford stunned No. 17 Washington to stay unbeaten in Maples Pavilion this season.