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MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Shane Schilling scored 12 points as Minnesota ended 12th-ranked Wisconsin's 10-game winning streak with a 54-49 victory in a Big Ten Conference game. It was the first loss in nine games for Wisconsin coach Brad Soderberg since he took over for Dick Bennett, who retired on November 30. Soderberg was the first Badger coach to win his first eight games since Walter Mean won his first 29 in the 1911 season. Making his first start of the season, Maurice Linton scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Badgers (10-2, 1-1 Big Ten), who failed in their bid to start 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 1994. Wisconsin lost for the first time since opening the season with a 66-56 defeat at then-No. 9 Tennessee. Mike Bauer chipped in with 11 points for Minnesota (13-2, 1-1), which was coming off an 80-64 loss at No. 8 Illinois on Wednesday. The Golden Gophers have won nine of their last 10 games. It was the first win for the Golden Gophers against a ranked opponent since a 77-75 victory over then-No. 9 Indiana in February. Minnesota was facing its second ranked foe this season. The Badgers trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, but were within 50-47 with under three minutes remaining. Minnesota was able withstand the charge, however, as senior John-Blair Bickerstaff went 4-of-4 from the free throw line over the final 78 seconds. Minnesota struggled from the line for much of the night, making half of its 20 attempts. Facing the second-best defensive team in the nation, the Golden Gophers found success from 3-point range, going 8-of-18. Schilling and Bauer each made three shots from behind the arc. It was a rough night for Badgers leading scorer Ray Boone, who came into the contest averaging 14.2 points. He went just 1-of-8 from the field and finished with three points. Wisconsin, which came into the game allowing 55.4 points per game, had that defense on display in the first half, holding the Gophers scoreless for more than eight minutes at one point. Linton had 10 points in the half as the Badgers held a 24-23 lead. Mike Kelley added nine points for Wisconsin, which shot just 34 percent (17-of-50). The Gophers shot 41 percent (18-of-44) and held a 36-35 rebounding advantage.
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