Sutherlin propels Minnesota past Purdue Fort Wayne 78-49
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Sean Sutherlin made all his seven-shot attempts coming off the bench for 19 points and Minnesota beat Purdue Fort Wayne 78-49 in non-conference play Friday night.
Sutherlin, a senior transfer who played for New Hampshire in 2019-20 before sitting out last season due to an injury, also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for the Golden Gophers (4-0).
E.J. Stephens added 14 points and three steals, sinking 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Jamison Battle scored 14, while Luke Loewe pitched in with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Jalon Pipkins scored seven points in a game-opening 9-0 run for the Mastodons (2-1). Minnesota didn't score until Loewe's three-point play at the 16:27 mark. PFW led until Sutherlin sandwiched two three-point plays around Stephens' 3-pointer, giving the Golden Gophers a 26-22 lead with 6:12 before halftime. Minnesota never trailed again and Loewe's 3-pointer gave them a 31-26 lead at intermission.
Pipkins scored 19 points with six rebounds for PFW. Jarred Godfrey finished with 12 points and six boards.
The Mastodons shot 32.8% from the floor, 21.7% from distance and made half of their eight free throws. Minnesota shot 49% overall, 36.4% from distance and sank 14 of 18 foul shots in the first meeting between the schools.
Minnesota guard Luke Loewe (12) drives against Purdue Fort Wayne guard Damian Chong Qui (2) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
___
For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25
Minnesota forward Jamison Battle (10) shoots on Purdue Fort Wayne forward Bobby Planutis (0) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota guard Payton Willis (0) drives through the defense of Purdue Fort Wayne guard Damian Chong Qui (2) and forward Ra Kpedi (3) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota forward Jamison Battle (10) celebrates as Purdue Fort Wayne forward Ra Kpedi (3) runs by in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Purdue Fort Wayne guard Damian Chong Qui (2) drives against Minnesota guard Payton Willis (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Purdue Fort Wayne guard Jalon Pipkins (50) drives against Minnesota guard Sean Sutherlin (24) and forward Charlie Daniels (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota guard Sean Sutherlin (24) defends against Purdue Fort Wayne guard Jalon Pipkins (50) with Minnesota guard E.J. Stephens (20) looking on in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Purdue Fort Wayne guard Damian Chong Qui (2) drives against Minnesota guard Payton Willis (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Purdue Fort Wayne guard Jarred Godfrey, left, passes around Minnesota guard Sean Sutherlin (24) and forward Charlie Daniels (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Purdue Fort Wayne guard Jalon Pipkins (50) shoots against Minnesota guard Payton Willis (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
