On Thursday, Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 70-63 in the Big Ten Tournament.
With 18 points each, Nolan Winter and John Tonje led the Badgers.
On Friday, Wisconsin will play UCLA in the quarterfinals.
INDIANAPOLIS — No. 18 Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 70-63 on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, thanks to 18 points apiece from Nolan Winter and John Tonje.
With 22 points, Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats (17-16), who were seeded 13th. Jordan Clayton gave Northwestern ten more points.
Max Klesmit of Wisconsin, who was ahead by eight points, made a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 53-42. With 8:58 left, Kamari McGee made a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 56-42. Tonje made two more 3-pointers to put the Badgers ahead 62-46.
The Wildcats only made 37% of their field goals, while the Badgers made 42%.
The Wildcats made 18 of 22 free throws and the Badgers made 18 of 23; the two teams were almost equal.
Wisconsin was ahead 37–30 at the half. In the first half, both teams shot 39%. The Badgers made 12 of 15 free throws, while the Wildcats only made 6 of 7.
Klesmit’s 3-pointer began a 14-4 run that extended the lead from 50-42 to 64-46.
Wisconsin made 5 of 13 3-pointers in the second half, including four consecutive ones during a crucial stretch, after shooting 3 of 12 from 3-point range in the first half.
Overall perspective: The Wildcats continued to battle to reduce the final deficit despite trailing by as much as 18 points in the second half. The Wildcats scored a 12–2 run to end the game.
The Badgers shot better in the second half and committed only 10 turnovers overall. Wisconsin had a 17-5 edge in points off turnovers.
What’s next:
Wisconsin will play No. 4 seed UCLA in Friday’s Big Ten quarterfinals. Northwestern will await a possible NIT or College Basketball Crown bid.
