For the sixth time in the last seven years, the University of Minnesota claimed victory in its annual Border Battle series against the University of Wisconsin. The Gophers claimed the title with 500 points, compared to 380 points for the Badgers.
In the all-time series, which spans 15 years, the Gophers hold a 10-5 advantage over their neighbors to the east.
Points are awarded based on the head-to-head results of competitions between the two schools, or, as in the case of several sports, the higher finisher at the Big Ten Championships. Those sports are men's and women's cross country, golf, indoor track and outdoor track, swimming and diving and women's rowing.
There is a total of 40 points available for every common sport, split among the number of regular season meetings when applicable (for example, each of four hockey games was worth 10 points, and two basketball games would be worth 20 points each).
Among the highlights were football's victory in the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe (the first since 2003), volleyball and women's basketball sweeping the Badgers in their two meetings each (the latter running its win streak over Wisconsin to 13 games), men's basketball earning a win in Madison for the first time since 2009, and wins by the Gopher wrestling, men's tennis and softball teams. Of the sport battles decided at the Big Ten Championships, Minnesota earned wins in men's and women's swimming and diving, men's golf, and men's and women's outdoor track & field.
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