Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard often uses the phrase “gritty, not pretty” to describe his team’s hard fought wins. The Badgers’ Tuesday night victory at Assembly Hall fits this mantra well. Wisconsin (20-5, 11-4 Big Ten) battled all night and came away with a 74-69 win over the Indiana Hoosiers (16-9, 7-8 Big Ten).
Wisconsin entered the matchup needing a bounce back win after a disappointing loss to Rutgers at home on Saturday. The Badgers hadn’t lost back-to-back games all season, and Indiana made them work to keep it that way.
Wisconsin trailed for the majority of the first half, shooting only 16.7% from 3-point range. Indiana led by seven with just over 5:30 to go in the half. However, Wisconsin used a late push to enter halftime with a 32-31 lead over the Hoosiers.
Indiana went on a 10-0 scoring run early in the second half, again pushing their lead to seven. The Badgers and Hoosiers continued to trade baskets in a highly physical contest. After trailing 65-61 late in the second half, Johnny Davis scored Wisconsin’s final 13 points. In addition, the Badgers’ defense stepped up, allowing Indiana to hit just one field goal in the last 5:10.
Battle 👏 Back 👏 Badgers 👏 pic.twitter.com/CSaue5AJq3
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 16, 2022
Johnny Davis led the Badgers with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Brad Davison added 21 points and 7 rebounds. Trayce Jackson-Davis paced Indiana with 30 points. With tonight’s victory, Wisconsin has now won 23 of the last 26 matchups against the Hoosiers.
Wisconsin returns to the Kohl Center on Sunday to take on Michigan. Tip-off is set for noon.
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