It wasn’t pretty but the Gophers snuck out a 58-53 overtime victory over the Badgers at Williams Arena Thursday night.
For Wisconsin, it was their third consecutive overtime game. They won their previous two against Iowa and Michigan.
Minnesota trailed 49-47 when Austin Hollins was called for a charging foul, giving the ball back to the Badgers. On the ensuing imbounds pass, St. Paul native Mike Bruesewitz gave the ball back to the Gophers when he ran the baseline — an illegal move after a dead ball.
Joe Coleman took advantage, drawing a foul and tying the game at 49 with a pair of free throws. Wisconsin had the last shot in regulation but failed to convert.
Andre Hollins’ three-pointer from the top of the arc, which he drilled over the outstretched arms of Princeton, MN native Jared Berggren, was the first shot made in the overtime period and it gave the Gophers the lead for good. Hollins led all scorers with 21 points, including 8 in overtime.
Minnesota improved to 18-7 overall and 6-6 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin drops to 17-8 overall and 8-4 in the Big Ten.
