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Minnesota's Ralph Sampson III, right, ties up Penn State's Billy Oliver (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 6, 2011, in Minneapolis. Tom Olmscheid, Associated Press
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Penn State's Talor Battle, left, gets off a behind-the-back pass to teammate Tim Frazier as Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe (32) attempts to defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 6, 2011, in Minneapolis. Minnesota's M Tom Olmscheid, Associated Press
By Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Talor Battle had 22 points and two free throws with 10.5 seconds left to help Penn State hang on and beat Minnesota 66-63 on Sunday, handing the Gophers their fifth straight loss.

Jeff Brooks had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Nittany Lions (16-13, 9-9), who finished in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten and will enter the conference tournament next week as the No. 6 seed and face Indiana.

Blake Hoffarber's 17 points weren't enough for the Gophers (17-13, 6-12), who have their worst Big Ten record in four seasons under coach Tubby Smith.

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