Gophers Even Conference Record By Beating Purdue

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Austin Hollins had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Minnesota went 23 for 27 from the free-throw line to hang on for an 82-79 victory over Purdue on Sunday, the first in the Big Ten for new coach Richard Pitino.

Andre Hollins added 17 points and five assists and made 9 of his 11 foul shots for the Gophers (12-3, 1-1), who led by as many as 19 points in the second half before surviving a determined comeback. The Boilermakers (10-5, 0-2) grabbed 21 offensive rebounds to stay in the game, and after Malik Smith missed two free throws with 4 seconds left, Kendall Stephens had a half-court heave to tie it that fell well short.

Stephens hit a 3-pointer right before that sequence from the top of the key to pull Purdue within three points.

Terone Johnson had 18 points and Ronnie Johnson had 13 points for the Boilermakers.