INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Victor Oladipo had 20 points and six rebounds and Jordan Hulls knocked down four 3-pointers, helping No. 5 Indiana hold off No. 8 Minnesota’s late charge for an 88-81 victory Saturday.
The Hoosiers (15-1, 3-0 Big Ten) have won six straight overall and 18 in a row at Assembly Hall. All five Indiana starters scored in double figures in the first game at Assembly Hall between Top 10 teams since No. 7 Ohio State played visited No. 10 Indiana on Feb. 19, 2000.
All five Minnesota starters also scored in double figures, led by Andre Hollins with 25 points, but the Golden Gophers (15-2, 3-1) had an 11-game winning streak snapped. Their only two losses have come against the No. 5 teams and the only two schools to hold the No. 1 spot this season _ Indiana on Saturday and Duke on Nov. 22.
Indiana took control early and Minnesota, which made a furious rally in the game’s final minutes, couldn’t overcome the poor start.
The Hoosiers had three players in double figures, made seven 3-pointers, forced 12 turnovers and produced seven steals in the first half.
Hulls got the first run started with Indiana’s first 3 of the game with 10:06 left in the first half. Oladipo followed that with a steal and layup, and when the spurt ended with 5:54 to go, Hulls and Oladipo had combined for 16 points in an 18-2 run that gave Indiana a 34-17 lead.
Christian Watford followed that with two more 3s and the Hoosiers closed the first half on a 12-2 run that ended with Hulls’ fourth three to make it 52-29 at intermission.
Indiana was 7 of 11 on 3s in the half and topped 50 points in a half for the sixth time this season. That was enough to send the students into a frenzy. Many students sang the school fight song as they waited in line outside Assembly Hall more than 90 minutes before tip-off.
Minnesota finally responded in the second half. Joe Coleman opened the half with a three-point play, a spark that sent Minnesota on a 14-4 run that cut the lead to 56-43 with 16:04 to go.
But Indiana used an 8-3 to retake a 66-48 lead with 11:52 left and still led 77-62 with about 5 minutes to go.
Minnesota charged back with a 19-7 run to close to 84-81 with 19.5 seconds left, but never had a chance to tie the score.
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