MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Minnesota Golden Gophers held off a second-half surge by the Iowa Hawkeyes for a 70-67 men’s basketball victory Tuesday night at Williams Arena.

Trailing 31-24 at halftime, Iowa outscored Minnesota 43-39 after the break but could not complete the comeback. The win improved Minnesota to 10-5 overall, while Iowa fell to 12-3. The game, played before a crowd of 8,976, was a conference opener for both Big Ten teams. Iowa had been a six-point favorite, but the Golden Gophers secured the upset on their home floor. The combined score fell under the pregame over/under line.