Despite Penn State's abnormally slow start, they controlled much of the first 20 minutes. It wasn't until a Brennan Rigsby dunk late in the first half that sparked a 6-0 run and Minnesota trailed 25-21 heading into halftime. It was the lowest-scoring first half of a Big Ten game this season.

One caveat to the first half of the Gophers men’s basketball team’s Big Ten schedule was its overall difficulty. While Minnesota struggled, its list of foes was considered top three toughest in

Battle is between two teams that don’t want to be left out of the season-ending Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis.

After trailing by four at halftime, Minnesota came from behind to beat Penn State 69-61 on the road. The win moves Minnesota to 4-8 in the Big Ten, having won four of their last 6 games after starting 0-6.