Austin Hollins helps Minnesota outlast Penn State 81-63, set up Big Ten tournament rematch

Minnesota's Austin Hollins, right, lands on the back of Penn State's Tim Frazier as Frazier attempts to bring the ball upcourt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid) (The Associated Press)

Penn State's Jordan Dickerson, center, attempts to get to the basket between Minnesota's Maurice Walker, right, and Joey King during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid) (The Associated Press)

Austin Hollins had 14 points and three steals in his last scheduled home game, a fitting senior spark for Minnesota in an 81-63 victory over Penn State on Sunday to set up a rematch between these teams in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

DeAndre Mathieu led the Golden Gophers (19-12, 8-10) with 16 points and six assists, Mo Walker scored 16 points on a career-best 8-for-10 free-throw shooting performance, and Minnesota locked up seventh place in coach Richard Pitino's first season.

D.J. Newbill had 15 of his 24 points in the second half for the Nittany Lions (15-16, 6-12), who tied for 10th in the conference standings with Northwestern and drew the higher seed because they beat the Wildcats earlier this week.

Minnesota and Penn State will play on Thursday in Indianapolis, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to face Wisconsin.