MINNEAPOLIS — Freshman forward Brett Knowles scored on a rebound with 44 seconds left in regulation to lift Minnesota State, Mankato to a 2-1 win over top-ranked Minnesota on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Knowles flicked in a rebound over sprawling goalie Adam Wilcox to snap the Golden Gophers’ 10-game unbeaten streak and knock the nation’s No. 1 team from first place in the WCHA. Zach Palmquist took a shot from the point and Eli Zuck kept the puck alive in a scrum in front of Wilcox.

Knowles was left uncovered on the weak side and scored easily.

St. Cloud State’s win over North Dakota on Friday gave it sole possession on the top spot in the conference race.

MSUM freshman goalie Stephon Williams stopped several shots in the closing seconds to preserve the win, which lifted the Mavericks to second place, just one point behind St. Cloud State.

Williams finished with 37 saves and Wilcox, also a freshman, had 31 for the Gophers (17-4-4, 9-4-4).

Minnesota took the lead on Nate Schmidt’s fifth goal of the season at 7:48 of the second period. Schmidt leads the nation’s defensemen in scoring with 24 points.

But the 14th-ranked Mavericks (16-8-3, 10-8-1) tied it at the 16-minute mark of the second period on Johnny McInnis’ 11th goal.

MSUM is 13-3-1 in its last 17 games and 11-0-0 when senior forward Eli Zuck scores a point. Zuck assisted on Knowles’ game-winner.