STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach Patrick Chambers is used to watching the Nittany Lions play good teams close.

What’s been frustrating for Chambers is the end result.

No. 14 Wisconsin held on for a 71-66 victory over Penn State on Sunday, marking the 11th time this season the Nittany Lions have played a game decided by five points or fewer, and the seventh time they have come up short.

Josh Gasser scored 15 points to lead a balanced Wisconsin offense and the Badgers (24-5, 11-5 Big Ten) moved into a tie with Michigan State for second place in the conference standings.

Ben Brust scored 14 points and Traevon Jackson, who made four clutch free throws down the stretch, added 13 for the Badgers. Wisconsin made 13 of its last 14 free throws over the final 7:45.

D.J. Newbill had 23 points for Penn State (14-15, 5-11), which dropped to 2-5 against ranked teams this season.