Blake Hoffarber scored 20 points, leading No. 18 Minnesota to an 81-70 win over Northwestern in a Big Ten game on Wednesday night.

The Gophers (16-4, 5-3 Big Ten) used an early second-half run to take control of the game for their fourth straight win. Trevor Mbakwe scored 18 points and had 14 rebounds for Minnesota. Colton Iverson added 15 points, all in the second half, while Ralph Sampson III scored 14.

Michael Thompson scored 18 points to lead Northwestern (13-7, 3-6 Big Ten). John Shurna added 16 points while Drew Crawford scored 15, but fouled out with 3:03 to play.

Shurna left the game in the first half after hitting his chin on the basket support while driving for a layup. He played the second half with a large bandage on his chin.

Minnesota led 29-16, but Northwestern closed the first half on an 18-4 run and took a 34-33 lead into the locker room on Alex Marcotullio's 3-pointer. Marcotullio started the second half with another 3-pointer before Minnesota regrouped. The Gophers went on a 13-2 run to take a 46-39 lead.

Minnesota made 31-of-46 free throws while Northwestern went to the foul line 11 times, making 10.

Hoffarber filled in at point guard for Al Nolen, who could miss the rest of the season with a broken foot.