Hoffarber, Minnesota take down No. 8 Purdue, 70-67

Blake Hoffarber's 26 points and Minnesota's improved perimeter defense helped the Gophers outlast eighth-ranked Purdue 70-67 on Thursday night.

JaJuan Johnson had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Boilermakers (15-2, 4-1 Big Ten), whose 10-game winning streak ended. They also lost for the first time in nine conference road games, dating to last January.

Hoffarber went 10 for 15 from the field and Al Nolen added 13 points, eight assists and three steals for the Gophers (13-4, 2-3), who have had a tumultuous week.

Leading scorer and rebounder Trevor Mbakwe, dropped from the starting lineup due to a misdemeanor charge of violating a harassment restraining order, played plenty after entering the game less than 4 minutes in - literally seconds after students started a "We want Trevor!" chant.

Mbakwe had seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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