MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Amir Coffey scored 21 points and Minnesota put No. 22 Wisconsin in an early hole before holding off a furious late rally to win 59-52 on Thursday night.

The Golden Gophers (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) earned their first win on the road against Wisconsin since 2009.

The Badgers (10-4, 2-1) couldn’t capitalize on several opportunities down the stretch, particularly from the free throw line. Wisconsin went 3 of 10 from the line at one point, including Ethan Happ missing the front end on back-to-back 1-and-1 situations after the Badgers had cut the lead to seven with just more than eight minutes to go.

Still, Happ’s steal and dunk, coupled with D’Mitrik Trice’s floater, cut the margin to 49-47 with two minutes left.

But then Coffey hit a runner and Dupree McBrayer turned a steal into a breakaway to end the threat.

Minnesota built an early lead as it regularly double-teamed Happ in the post, forcing the Badgers’ leading scorer to kick the ball out to the perimeter. Wisconsin couldn’t make the Gophers pay for that strategy, shooting just 2 of 14 on 3-pointers in the first half.

As Coffey reeled off 15 straight points for Minnesota, the Gophers opened a 29-14 lead at the break, holding Wisconsin to a season low for points in the first half.

Happ finished with 17 points to lead Wisconsin.

BIG PICTURE

Minnesota: The Gophers got their first quality road win of the season.

Wisconsin: The Badgers were unable to bounce back after losing 83-76 last week on the road to Western Kentucky.

UP NEXT

Minnesota: Hosts Maryland on Tuesday.

Wisconsin: Play at Penn State on Sunday.