Block party at Williams Arena

The Gophers set a team record with 17 blocks, and they converted on their late free throws to nail down a victory over Bowling Green.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 18, 2008 - 2:49 PM

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NABC CLASSIC GOPHERS 68, BOWLING GREEN 61 Today's games: Bowling Green vs. Concordia (St. Paul), 4 p.m. • Gophers vs. Georgia State, 6 p.m. (830-AM)

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Tubby Smith signed a nationally ranked recruiting class with the hope it would give the Gophers an edginess they lacked a year ago.

"We needed to get tougher," Smith said Saturday.

Members of that recruiting class helped the Gophers to a team-record 17 blocks Saturday against Bowling Green, and the Falcons were held to 22 points in the first half.

And as Bowling Green turned a 16-point halftime deficit into a three-point war, the Gophers made nine out of 10 free throws in the closing minutes to clinch a 68-61 victory before an announced 11,833 fans at the NABC Classic at Williams Arena.

How's that for toughness?

"I knew [Bowling Green would] come back, but I thought we showed a lot of courage, a lot of toughness down the stretch to make plays and get stops," Smith said.

Of the 17 blocks, Smith said, "That's a heck of an outing for a second [game]."

Those swats are a testament to the upgrade in size and athleticism given to the Gophers (2-0) by the addition of freshmen Colton Iverson, Ralph Sampson III and Devoe Joseph and junior college transfers Devron Bostick and Paul Carter.

The group as a whole was more effective Saturday after struggling at times in Friday's season opener and in two exhibition games. But Sampson and Iverson made the most strides, with Iverson recording nine blocks, tied for the third-highest total in team history. Sampson added four blocks.

With Jonathan Williams out up to six weeks after undergoing surgery Friday to repair a hernia, Iverson and Sampson are the team's only true post players. They combined for eight points and 11 rebounds to go along with the 13 blocks Saturday.

"They're getting opportunities," Smith said. "And with opportunity comes a chance to play through, maybe, some mistakes. They both are very solid, very heady players. They've got good basketball knowledge ... and they're learning where they can be effective in our system."

Smith will not permit freshmen to talk to the media before the Big Ten season begins.

Smith's main concern after Friday's season-opening victory over Concordia (St. Paul) was defensive breakdowns. "Guys took us off the dribble," he said.

In the second half Saturday, Falcons guards Darryl Clements (19 points), Joe Jakubowski (14) and Brian Moten (10) did what Smith worried about: They created shots off the dribble.

Bowling Green (0-2) shot only 26.7 percent from the floor in the first half and trailed 36-22 at the break. With four minutes to play, the Falcons cut that to 55-52, before Minnesota closed out the game on a 13-9 run.

"I just give more them credit really because they didn't quit," said Gophers guard Lawrence Westbrook, who hit four free throws in the final minute and led all scorers with 20 points.

Smith said the Gophers will have to address some of their defensive lapses. He hopes they can learn from Saturday's game and finish strong against Georgia State tonight, their third game in three days.

"That goes back to they were getting the ball at the rim, and that's a real concern for us," Smith said. "We have to find a way to stop the penetration. We were playing so well early in the game."

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