Recap: La Salle vs. Minnesota

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Rodney Williams scored a game-high 21 points as Minnesota took down La Salle, 70-61, in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at Tom Gola Arena.

Also scoring in double figures for sixth-seeded Golden Gophers (20-14) were Austin Hollins and Andre Hollins with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

The third-seeded Explorers (21-13) were paced by Earl Pettis who dropped in 19 points, while Ramon Galloway accounted for 13 and Jerrell Wright 12 points and seven boards in the setback.

Both teams shot better than 53 percent from the field in the first half and even though Minnesota missed all five chances beyond the arc in the period, the Gophers were the ones with the 40-37 advantage at the break.

In the second half the visitors again had their troubles on the perimeter (1- of-6), but made up for it with 50.0 percent accuracy from the floor overall to capture the nine-point win.

La Salle, which finished the night shooting 47.1 percent from the field, lost the battle of the boards, 32-23, and was charged with 18 turnovers.

The victory, the 100th for head coach Tubby Smith with the Golden Gophers, sends the program to the next round to face Miami-Florida.