GAME NOTES: The Minnesota Golden Gophers will continue a six-game homestand on Monday night when they invite North Dakota in for a non-conference bout at Williams Arena.

North Dakota ended a two-game losing streak on Saturday with a thrilling 63-62 win over Drake. North Dakota is still below .500 overall this season (3-4), with the win over the Bulldogs being its first in four tries on the road. Up next is a battle with in-state rival North Dakota State.

Minnesota got this homestand off to a fine start, rolling past Western Carolina, 84-64, last Friday. The Golden Gophers have won three straight games and are currently 6-2 overall, including a perfect 4-0 mark at home. They host Southern University next.

It has been quite some time since these teams have met, with the last encounter taking place back in 1983 when Minnesota claimed a 78-73 victory. The Golden Gophers have won 11 straight against North Dakota and lead the all- time series, 17-2.

Quinton Hooker got a layup to fall with 14 seconds to play, lifting North Dakota to its one-point triumph over Drake. The make gave North Dakota its first and only lead of the contest, with Drake leading by as many as 10 points during the course of the contest. Hooker finished with 16 points and Estan Tyler and Terrel de Rouen each chipped in 15 in the victory.

Leading scorer Jaron Nash (13.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg) was slowed a bit offensively in the win over Drake, as he managed only nine points on 3-of-7 shooting. However, he maintained his strong effort on the glass by grabbing eight rebounds. Tyler (12.6 ppg) has been an excellent option off the bench, playing 29.4 minutes per game as a reserve. He is the only double-digit scorer on the team besides Nash. Hooker (9.6 ppg) and de Rouen (9.5 ppg) are each relied upon for additional offensive punch, but Hooker is only shooting 38.7 percent from the field.

DeAndre Mathieu scored 16 points and dished out six assists to lead five players in double figures in Minnesota's rout of Western Carolina. The Golden Gophers drained 57.4 percent of their shots from the floor, while forcing 24 turnovers, which led to 29 points. They also enjoyed a 38-30 scoring advantage in the paint.

Minnesota is performing well on defense more so than offense this season. The Golden Gophers are limiting foes to 63.5 points per game on 39.7 percent shooting. At the other end, they are netting 77.1 ppg, while sinking a respectable 45.9 percent from the floor. Andre Hollins (14 ppg) is the club's leading scorer and is coming off a 15-point effort against Western Carolina. Carlos Morris (11.6 ppg), Maurice Walker (9.9 ppg, 5 rpg), Nate Mason (9.8 ppg), Joey King (9.6 ppg) and DeAndre Mathieu (8.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 2.2 spg) help to form a solid nucleus.

With a strong starting lineup, which plays well at both ends of the floor, Minnesota is a tough out for just about any foe, especially a North Dakota team that hasn't had much luck on the road.