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January 2, 2010 - Iowa City, IA (Sports Network) - Blake Hoffarber's 24 points and six rebounds led the way as the Minnesota Golden Gophers bested the Iowa Hawkeyes, 86-74, in a Big Ten matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Damian Johnson scored 13 points and grabbed five boards for Minnesota, (11-3, 2-0 Big Ten) which won its seventh straight. Devoe Joseph added 12 points and five assists. Devron Bostic grabbed eight rebounds to go with seven points.
Matt Gatens scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Iowa (5-9, 0-2) which lost its second straight. Eric May added 13 points and eight boards, while Aaron Fuller posted 10 points and eight rebounds.
Minnesota took command in the first half, running out to a 49-32 lead at the break. The Golden Gophers were 20-of-37 from the floor in the first half. Iowa was 9-of-22 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
Iowa cut into the deficit in the second half, but Minnesota stayed in front by shooting 45.5 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes. The Gophers also made four of their five foul shots. The hosts sank seven of 15 three- point attempts in the second half.
Iowa hurt its cause by turning the ball over 25 times. Minnesota was guilty of 16 turnovers.