BadgerBlitz – Quick Hits: Wisconsin Outlasts Penn State in Overtime

The College of Wisconsin wasn’t going to let one other one slip away.

Lacking a number of alternatives to win in regulation, the Badgers managed the additional time session on each ends of the ground to earn a 79-74 victory over Penn State in a matchup between two bubble groups on the Bryce-Jordan Middle in State School, PA.

It’s the fifth Quad-1 victory of the season for Wisconsin (14-9, 6-7 Huge Ten) and a victory that a whole lot of gamers had a vital hand in.

Chucky Hepburn, who was scrutinized for his missed two pictures that would have compelled additional time Sunday, scored a game-high 19 factors, 16 that got here after halftime and included a step-back three-pointer with 33 seconds left.

Connor Essegian had 18 factors on 6-for-9 capturing, his second-best capturing proportion of the season. Senior Tyler Wahl had 16 factors, six rebounds, and a career-high eight assists whereas fellow ahead Steven Crowl completed with 11 factors (5-for-5), eight rebounds, and 4 assists.

Registering 16 assists on 28 subject objectives, UW shot a season-best 52.8 p.c from the sector. The Badgers have been 3-for-4 from the sector in additional time with scoring from 5 totally different gamers.

The very best three-point capturing crew within the Huge Ten when it comes to proportion and quantity, Penn State (14-10, 5-8) went 7-for-9 within the second half to erase a number of seven-point deficits however went 0-for-5 from the perimeter in additional time. Jalen Pickett had a team-high 17 factors earlier than fouling out with 24.4 seconds left in additional time, sending Penn State to its 18th loss within the final 19 video games towards Wisconsin.

Unable to hit the vital shot in Sunday’s 54-52 loss to Northwestern, the Badgers didn’t miss three pictures in a row and shot 50 p.c within the second half however couldn’t shut out Penn State in regulation.

Hepburn did his finest to attempt, a number of instances. After Penn State took a 62-59 lead with 4:18 to go (its first benefit because the recreation’s opening minutes), Hepburn – who missed a number of game-tying pictures within the remaining minute Sunday – drew an offensive foul on Pickett outdoors the restricted circle and promptly hit a three-pointer off a handoff from Steven Crowl, who created house for him to get off the shot.

After Essegian compelled a turnover off an entry cross, Hepburn exercised a few of Sunday’s demons by hitting a step-back three-pointer with 33 seconds left. The lead was short-lived, as Seth Lundy hit a 3 of his personal within the face of Max Klesmit with 23.1 seconds left.

Hepburn couldn’t make lightning strike twice, as his step-back shot missed and Carter Gilmore’s off-balanced putback went off the rim.

What it means: Two groups firmly on the NCAA Match bubble (on the surface trying in), the Badgers sweeping the season sequence from Penn State may pay dividends on the subject of seeding within the Huge Ten Match and a possible NCAA bid.

Star of the sport: Time beyond regulation has been principally good to the Badgers this season. Since dropping the heartbreaker to No.3 Kansas within the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals, Wisconsin has received three straight within the further session with all victories coming over Quad-1 opponents (at Marquette, at Iowa).

Stat of the sport: Penn State completed 9-for-23 from three-point vary, the fifth-fewest perimeter makes an attempt the Nittany Lions have had this season.

Cause to be Involved: Wisconsin completed 12-for-19 from the free-throw line (63.2 p.c), the fourth straight recreation the Badgers completed beneath 65 p.c from the road.

Don’t overlook: Lots of scoring from the starters, however Jordan Davis delivered eight factors, 5 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes off the bench, in addition to irritating Pickett all through the primary half.

What’s subsequent: Wisconsin now travels to the opposite aspect of the Huge Ten footprint when it takes on Nebraska in Lincoln Saturday afternoon in the one regular-season assembly between the 2 faculties. Assured to have its fifth-straight non-winning convention season, the Huskers (11-14, 4-10) are tied for twelfth place within the league and have completed final or tied for final in every of the final three seasons. Senior ahead Derrick Walker leads the Huskers in each factors and rebounds. Nebraska ended a seven-game dropping streak to Wisconsin with a 74-73 victory within the regular-season remaining final March, costing UW the outright convention title.