Gophers bury EWU

MINNEAPOLIS – Freshman Colton Iverson scored a career-high 20 points, including 14 in the decisive first half, as Minnesota stayed unbeaten with an 88-67 win over Eastern Washington on Wednesday.

Blake Hoffarber added 12 for the Gophers (5-0), who are off to their best start since beginning 6-0 in 1999-2000. Damian Johnson, Jamal Abu-Shamala and Devron Bostick each had 11 points for Minnesota.

Benny Valentine was 5 for 8 from beyond the 3-point line and finished with 29 points for Eastern Washington. Brandon Moore had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles (3-2).

Iverson was the focus of the offense early.

The 6-foot-10 center from South Dakota scored eight of the Gophers first 13 points, and his first-half surge helped turn an early one-point deficit into a 47-29 halftime advantage as the Gophers went on a 40-18 run before Valentine finished the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer.

Using their height advantage, Iverson and fellow freshman Ralph Sampson III – who scored nine points – helped Minnesota shoot 59 percent from the field and produce 50 points in the paint.

The Gophers were without leading scorer Lawrence Westbrook, who has been dealing with a shin injury and knee tendinitis. The Gophers then lost junior college transfer Paul Carter to a right ankle injury midway through the second half. Carter came down awkwardly and was carried off the court by teammates. He was taken for X-rays.

The Eagles return home to play UC Irvine on Sunday. EWU defeated the Anteaters in California 74-69 on Nov. 19.