Wisconsin (7-3 Big Ten, 15-6 overall) needed a team effort at Nebraska (3-7, 13-8) on Tuesday, and it got one.
With sophomore forward Nate Reuvers in foul trouble, sophomore forward Aleem Ford failing to convert from deep and the team shooting just 5-for-11 from the charity stripe, the Badgers got massive contributions from its bench to leave Lincoln with a 62-51 win.
Senior forward Charles Thomas IV chipped in with five second-half points, and junior guard Brevin Pritzl finished with eight to stop a surging Nebraska team who led by three in the second half.
Wisconsin stormed out of the gate in the first period, leading 23-9 with just 7:21 until halftime.
Then, Nebraska made it a fight.
The Cornhuskers slowed down a previously rampant Wisconsin offense in those last seven-plus minutes, and found its feet on the other end, finishing off the half on a 12-5 run to cut Wisconsin’s lead to seven.
The Badgers continued to struggle in the early stages of the second half, as Nebraska jumped out to a 35-32 lead less than five minutes after half time.
From there, Wisconsin showed the defensive prowess that has led it to its current four-game win streak. During the stretch, none of Wisconsin’s opponents reached 60, and Nebraska didn’t come close Tuesday night.
Even with its own offense looking labored at times, Wisconsin tired Nebraska out with its tight defense, and took care of the ball with just seven total turnovers on the game.
It was classic Wisconsin basketball, even if it took place outside of America’s Dairyland.
Sophomore guard Brad Davison hit a number of tough shots in the second half, and went on to lead Wisconsin with 13 points. Happ posted a 10 point, 10 rebound double-double, and Reuvers iced the game in its final minutes with a three pointer, block and midrange jumper in succession to put the game out of reach.
Wisconsin will look to extend their win streak to five games against No. 21 Maryland at the Kohl Center Friday night.
