MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Ralph Sampson III had 15 points, six rebounds and four blocks and Rodney Williams added 14 points and eight boards to lift Minnesota to a 63-59 victory over plucky North Dakota State on Thursday night.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 13 points and three steals for the Golden Gophers (12-1), who hung on despite missing nine free throws and being outrebounded 39-28.
Taylor Braun had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Dylan Hale scored 13 for the Bison (8-3). North Dakota State turned the ball over 14 times, which kept it from completing what would have been an impressive upset.
Sampson made 7 of 8 free throws, including two in the final 14 seconds to preserve the victory in Minnesota's final nonconference game before Big Ten play begins next week.
