Minnesota 81, Nebraska 69: Chip Armelin poured in a career-high 20 points off the bench as the Gophers hit 10 3-pointers to snap a six-game losing streak.

Armelin and Austin Hollins, who finished with 13 points, each finished with four 3-pointers for Minnesota (18-13, 6-12 Big Ten), which swept the season series from Nebraska (12-17, 4-14) and secured the No. 10 seed in next week’s Big Ten tournament.

Rodney Williams added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Gophers.

Despite holding an 11-point lead early in the second half, the Gophers, who have blown second-half leads in two of their past three losses, appeared to be on the verge of another meltdown as Bo Spencer scored eight straight points during an 11-1 run to cut Minnesota’s lead to 45-43.

However, Armelin and Ralph Sampson III combined to score nine unanswered points as the Gophers pulled away for good.

Minnesota, which had been held to less than 53 points in three of its last four games, improved to 9-0 when scoring at least 75 points.

Spencer hit a career-high seven 3-pointers as he scored all 23 of his points in the second half for the Cornhuskers, who have dropped each of their last five road games by double digits.

Game Notebook: Armelin’s previous career high of 15 points came in Minnesota’s first meeting against Nebraska … The Gophers shot 7 of 14 from the 3-point line in the first half, matching or exceeding their production beyond the arc over the past seven games … Minnesota recorded 23 assists on its 26 made baskets, one game after notching three on 11 baskets in a loss to Wisconsin.