MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS ARE TAKING ON EASTERN WASHINGTON

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers return home tonight to face the Eagles of Eastern Washington. Minnesota was on the road last Saturday, and they defeated Colorado State with a score of 72-71. Coming into this game, Minnesota is 4-0 and Eastern Washington is 3-1.

Williams Arena is starting to fill up here, as we are about to get this game underway. The crowd is on its feet. The Gophers are playing really aggressive to start this game out. Eastern Washington is looking to get the ball up the court early in this game.

Eastern Washington is patient on the offensive end. At the first media timeout, the score is Minnesota 7 and Eastern Washington 6.

Paul Carter has just entered the game for the Gophers. Colton Iverson just made a nice jump shot. Colton Iverson just came up with a put back dunk to get the crowd into the game. Ralph Sampson just got fouled on his shot and has just made his free throw attempt. Ralph Sampson is playing very aggressive. He has gotten a couple of good shots on put backs because he is just so tall. He is contesting shot with his hand out on the shooters.

With 11:51 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 16 Eastern Washington 11.

Devoe Joseph just hit a nice three point shot. He looks like he is having fun. The Gophers are playing really hard early on. The Gophers are doing a good job of getting back on defense.

The Gophers have gone on these mini runs in the first half, and they are trying not to have Eastern Washington in this game at all. With 6:04 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 29 and Eastern Washington 20.

Colton Iverson has looked impressive so far. He has made some very nice moves and looks strong and aggressive. Devron Bostic just came down the court with a nice dunk.

With 3:02 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 38 and Eastern Washington 22.

Al Nolen has played some good defense in this game. He has really had to make his man work. Al Nolen has mostly guarded Benny Valentine in this game and he has done a good job.

At half time, the score is Minnesota 47 and Eastern Washington 29.

Colton Iverson has really put on an impressive performance for the Gophers tonight. He is the Gophers leading scorer in the first half. He has 14 points.

The second half is about to get underway. The Gophers are coming out playing aggressively here at the start of this second half. The Gophers can't get soft here and think that they have this game in the bag. They have to keep playing hard throughout the whole game and keep executing their stuff. Colton Iverson just got another dunk here tonight.

Benny Valentine has played well in this game. He is their vocal leader on the court. With 15:40 left to go in the game, the score is Minnesota 55 and Eastern Washington 41.

The Gophers are playing well here today. They are still playing with a lot of confidence. With 11:33 left to go in the second half, the score is Minnesota 64 and Eastern Washington 47.

They are talking a lot on their passes. They have also made sound cuts. Even though the Gophers have made Benny Valentine look like a super star, they are still playing well.

Paul Carter just hit the deck hard. He looks like he is in pain. He is helped off the court by several of his players and the Gophers medical staff. They are taking him down stairs to get it looked at.

With 7:35 left to go in regulation, the score is Minnesota 69 and Eastern Washington 55.

Colton Iverson is just putting on a show in this game. Damian Johnson has 11 points so far but he has been playing well. He has really helped this team to victory tonight. The final of the game tonight was Minnesota Gophers 88 and Eastern Washington 67.

With this win tonight Tubby Smiths record is now 25-14 with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He is now 212-159 for his college Coaching career. This was the second time that these two teams have met and the Gophers have won both meetings. This has been the best start the Gophers have had in a while. The Gophers are now 5-0. During the 1999-2000 season the Gophers started that season 6-0. The Gophers found a way to score tonight. They were able to put in a bunch of points in the first half. In fact, the Gophers scored a season high 47 points in the first half tonight. Their previous high total for points in a half was 41 against Concordia St Paul. The Gophers had another high in points in a game with 88 points. The Gophers also found their shot tonight. The Gophers shot a season high 58.6% from the field tonight. In the first half alone, they shot 63.3%. This is the first time this year that the Gophers have shot over 50% from the field. The Gophers were also able to get all over the rebounds tonight, in a valiant effort. The Gophers had a total of 31 total rebounds and Eastern Washington had a total of 26 rebounds. The leading rebounder for the Gophers tonight was Ralph Sampson with 7 total rebounds. Tubby Smith is still looking to see what line-ups work the best for this team by trying out different player combinations. Tonight was no exception. Al Nolen and Colton Iverson are the only two players to start all five games this year so far.

Tonight the Gophers were able to distribute the basketball around well. They were able to get everyone involved in the game. Minnesota had 5 players score in double figures. Devron Bostick had a season high 11 points in this game. I also thought that he played well. He was able to get to the free throw line, and he made all of his free throws tonight.

Lawrence Westbrook missed the game tonight because he has a deep shin bruise on his right leg. Westbrook had started 38 games up to this point. He started all of the games last season. Co captain Jamal Abu-Shamala played in his 100th career game tonight for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That includes starting in 52 games. Al Nolen Jr had a quiet night tonight. He played hard and well but he didn't shoot the ball that much. He ended up with two points and three personal fouls.

Paul Carter was taken to the Emergency Room to get his ankle looked at. He rolled an ankle. The Gophers are getting a little bit nicked up and Tubby Smith is kind of concerned because he doesn't want his team to be too banged up. He does use some of his managers to help out in drills even when everyone is healthy.