Bronson Koenig tallies career-high 17 points as No. 5 Badgers handle Minnesota in 63-53 win

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Frank Kaminsky scored 21 points, Bronson Koenig (Ho-Chunk Nation) added a career-high 17 and No. 5 Wisconsin beat Minnesota 63-53 Saturday for its 10th straight win.

The Badgers (25-2, 13-1 Big Ten) maintained their three-game conference lead in the loss column over Maryland, Purdue and Michigan State.

Wisconsin led 35-27 at halftime and pushed it to 49-34 on a 3-pointer by Kaminsky with 10:34 remaining. Kaminsky shot 9 for 13.

Fast Facts
• Bronson Koenig scores career-high 17 points with 3-for-6 3FG, 7-7 FT shooting, plus 3 assists
• Wisconsin posted its first-ever 13-1 start to Big Ten play. Since 2002, only two Big Ten teams have started 13-1 or better in conference play.
• Frank Kaminsky scores 20+ points for the seventh time in the last 11 games, plus 5 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and one steal.

Nate Mason and Carlos Morris had 11 points apiece for the Gophers (16-12, 5-10), who lost their third straight. Minnesota is 1-14 at the Kohl Center.

Minnesota got just one free throw the entire game and missed it. The Badgers, who led the nation in fewest fouls at 12.9 per game, were called for seven fouls.

Minnesota was called for 17 fouls and Wisconsin was 11 of 14 from the line.

Sam Dekker, who struggled from the field, gave the Badgers their biggest lead at 54-38 on a dunk with 6:51 left. Dekker, the team’s second-leading scorer 13.4 points and shooting 53 percent, was just 1 of 8.

Koenig, a sophomore, shot 4 of 10 and made all six of his free throws.

Wisconsin shot 54 percent in the first half, led by Kaminksy, who was 5-of-6 in the early going. He was scoreless for the final 10:16 of the half.

The Gophers hit their first four shots and 10 of 16, but went 3 of 12 to close the half.

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