Wisconsin Triumphs Over Rutgers
In an electrifying matchup on Saturday, Wisconsin triumphed over Rutgers with a final score of 96-87, marking their fourth consecutive victory. Nick Boyd led the charge for the Badgers, pouring in 32 points while also contributing nine assists. Boyd showcased his shooting skills by making 8 of 16 attempts from the field and achieving an impressive 14 of 15 from the free-throw line, falling just shy of his career-high of 36 points, which he set against Providence earlier this season.
Supporting Performances
John Blackwell and Nolan Winter supported Boyd’s effort with solid performances, scoring 19 and 18 points respectively for the Badgers, who now boast a 13-5 record and stand at 5-2 in the Big Ten conference. Wisconsin’s winning streak has included notable victories, such as a thrilling 91-88 win against then-No. 2 Michigan and a last-minute 78-75 win at Minnesota.
Rutgers’ Efforts
On the opposing side, the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers saw Harun Zrno lead their scoring with 21 points, where he notably sank five three-pointers. Additionally, Jamichael Davis and Tariq Francis contributed 14 and 12 points to Rutgers’ efforts, which now sees them sitting at 9-9 overall and 2-5 in the conference.
Game Highlights
Wisconsin initially dominated the game, extending their lead to 26 points early in the second half with a series of three-point shots by Braeden Carrington, Winter, and Jack Janicki. However, Rutgers responded with a nine-point run from Francis, followed by a 15-4 scoring streak fueled by Zrno and Buchanan, bringing the game within seven points with under five minutes to play.
The Badgers secured their advantage in the latter stages, as Boyd completed a crucial three-point play and his free throws widened the gap back to 14 points. In the first half, Wisconsin showcased their shooting prowess, hitting 53% of their shots and converting 8 of 15 from beyond the arc to take a decisive 51-29 lead. Both teams finished the game shooting 48%, but Wisconsin excelled at the foul line, making 26 of 29 attempts and capitalizing on turnovers with a 19-4 advantage.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Rutgers will next face Iowa on Tuesday, while Wisconsin will head to Penn State on Thursday for their upcoming contests.
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