Michigan holds off late Minnesota rally to win 83-75

Jan 17, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Joe Coleman (11) looks to pass while defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) in the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Burke scored 18 points and dished nine assists to lead the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines to a 83-75 victory over the No. 9 Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena.

Michigan lead the entire game, with the exception of the first few minutes, and had maintained a double-digit lead up until the tail-end of the match up.

The Gophers were able to cut the lead to three possessions with under five minutes to play, but by then, it was too little too late as Minnesota could not find an advantage in the foul game.

Minnesota was awful at the line when it mattered the most. Joe Coleman went 3-for-8 from the charity stripe — a majority of those misses came in the final minutes.

Turnovers doomed the Gophers from the beginning. Minnesota committed double-digit turnovers in the first half but finished with 16.

Rodney Williams led Minnesota with four turnovers and also committed five fouls. Williams often seemed dispirited on the court — he finished with 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

Tim Hardaway Jr lit up the Gophers in the first half for 17 points and finished with 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting including 4-of-5 from beyond the arch. His first-half play was a big reason Michigan took a six point lead into the first half.

Austin Hollins led the Gophers with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists, but his effort alone was not enough.

Andre Hollins sat out most of the first half after committing two early fouls. He finished with 13 points but was largely a non-factor.

Trevor Mbakwe recorded another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds but also added five blocks. Half of his rebounds came on the offensive end.

Four Gopher starters finished the game in double-digits.

The Gopher bench scored a total of 12 points. Julian Welch contributed the most with eight points, but the Michigan bench out-played Minnesota by scoring 15 points off three players.

Minnesota will travel to Evanston next Wednesday to take on Northwestern.

The Michigan game ends a three-game stretch against ranked opponents — the Gophers finished the stretch going 1-2.