Wisconsin Badgers basketball and Greg Gard failed to defend their winning streak, ending it at seven, after falling to UCLA Bruins, 83-85.
The Badgers came into the game in high spirit after their recent win against USC Trojans which was also on the road.
They appeared to be in control in the first half by going to the locker room with a five-point lead.
However, a hot start from the Bruins in the second half led by junior forward Tyler Bilodeau who made two mid-range jumpers to help cut the lead by two points at 17:27 mark.
Coach Greg Gard’s squad then went scoreless from that point until the 14:56 but by that time, the Bruins wre already leading, 47-46.
Wisconsin got the lead back, 57-56, at 11:30 mark with a three pointer from Kamari McGee but they went scoreless again for around three minutes to surrender a 62-57 deficit by 9:43 mark.
Bruins lead ballooned to nine points with six minutes remaining in the game but the Badgers were able to keep the game close again through the efforts of John Blackwell and John Tonje who found his great touch again, and timely free throws of Steven Crowl.
Greg Gard says Wisconsin Badgers last ATO play was not followed
Badgers may have lost but the showed fight until the last second. They could have stolen the game, too, if not for the botched play.
The game went down to the last possession. Bruins were leading 82-80 but Badgers had the ball.
With 30 seconds on the clock, Gard’s guys on the floor run a play, leading to a jumper by Blackwell. It was blocked. Nine seconds remaining and the senior guard was forced to foul Skyy Clark who made both.
Tonje made one more three pointer but it was not enough to overcome Bruins 4-point lead.
Talking to reporters post-game, Gard said they had a different plan on that last play by Blackwell.
Greg Gard said UW had something different drawn up on the penultimate possession and that John Blackwell’s mid-range shot wasn’t what they were looking for.
Blackwell said he thought he saw an opening with players jammed up and wanted to make a play for his team. #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) January 22, 2025
Badgers will have a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday when they host the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
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