Ralph Sampson III scored 15 points with eight rebounds, and Minnesota stayed hot with a 69-47 home victory over St. Peter’s.

Julian Welch added 11 points and Rodney Williams scored 10 for the Golden Gophers (10-1), who shot 46.2 percent from the field and extended a nine-point halftime lead throughout the second half.

Sampson, who returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with an ankle injury, finished 6-for-9 from the field. He also blocked four shots and had four assists.

The Peacocks (2-6) pulled within 33-27 one minute into the second half. Minnesota scored the next eight points, Sampson’s layup with 15:28 remaining give the Golden Gophers a 41-27 lead.

Darius Conley’s 20 points and seven rebounds led St. Peter’s. Chris Prescott added 12 points. The Peacocks shot just 39.6 percent from the field.

The Golden Gophers host Central Michigan on Tuesday. St. Peter’s plays Saturday at Long Island.