Frontcourt leads way before No. 21 Wisconsin holds on late, beats Minnesota 78-70

Minnesota's Austin Hollins (20) shoots between Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky and Ben Brust (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (The Associated Press)

Minnesota's Andre Hollins, right, drives into Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (The Associated Press)

MADISON, Wis. – Frank Kaminsky scored 17 points, and No. 21 Wisconsin regained some of its frontcourt swagger in a 78-70 win Thursday night over Minnesota.

Fellow forward Nigel Hayes added 15 for the Badgers, who kept Minnesota in the game following late free-throw woes.

But Wisconsin (20-5, 7-5 Big Ten) benefited from a hot start up front. The Badgers are at their best active in the lane, and that was the case on both ends of the floor in building a 13-point lead against sloppy Minnesota (16-9, 5-7).

Outside shooting helped the Gophers hang around after Austin Hollins and Malik Smith hit 3s on back-to-back possessions to get to 73-68 with 55.2 seconds left.

Ben Brust finally sealed the win with two foul shots for an eight-point lead with 38 seconds left.