The season is over for the LaSalle Explorers. They lost on Wednesday night to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first round of the 2012 NIT Tournament by a final score of 70-61.
No. 8 Minnesota used the boards too effectively for LaSalle to match. The Gophers had 30 rebounds to the Explorers 20, using those to up their shooting percentage to 52 percent. LaSalle shot just 47.1 percent from the floor.
Rodney Williams led Minnesota with 21 points. He was one of three players to have six rebounds for the Gophers. Two other players scored in double digits.
Earl Pettis led LaSalle with 19 points. He also had three rebounds and two assists. Ramon Galloway and Jerrell Wright had double figures as well.
Minnesota will advance to play the winner of the Miami-Valparaiso game.
A complete 2012 NIT bracket is available here.
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