RECAP: Wisconsin defeats Western Michigan for fifth straight win

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 76-66 for his or her fifth consecutive win, furthering their standing as a Prime 25 group.

Wisconsin struggled within the first half, capturing solely 40% from the sphere and 28% from three, whereas lacking 4 free throws, which stored the sport shut.

Whereas Western Michigan wasn’t essentially environment friendly within the first half, they knocked down seven of their first 13 three-pointers, ending the half down simply two factors, though each groups cooled off in the direction of the tip of the interval.

The Badgers regarded to strike from distance early, with 56% of their photographs coming from three, regardless of proudly owning a dimension benefit over the Broncos.

That was a main purpose for his or her demise within the first half, given their inefficiency, with ahead Jordan Davis connecting on simply one in all 5 makes an attempt from deep.

Ahead Steven Crowl was the lone participant with a plus-minus over three, main his group with a plus-minus of +9.

For Western Michigan, the Badgers had been tasked with defending guards Tray Maddox Jr. and Lamar Norman Jr., and held them to five/17 capturing, though 4 of these photographs had been from distance.

Nevertheless, the success from deep stored Western Michigan shut within the first half, as 68% of their photographs got here from past the arc.

The second half for the Badgers was the Steven Crowl present, as the large man scored 20 factors on 8/10 capturing, together with 3/4 from deep, which was very important given the matchup offered to Wisconsin on the inside.

Head coach Greg Gard made the right changes with an elevated deal with the paint, which created alternatives outdoors the arc, the place Wisconsin linked on 8/13 of their photographs.

Crowl’s affect was much more vital when contemplating that fellow ahead Tyler Wahl performed in simply 9 second-half minutes, with Carter Gilmore incomes thoughtful enjoying time in his place.

With the very good effectivity from the Badgers offense, Wisconsin scored 47 factors within the second half, which helped them keep a ten+ level lead for almost all of the half.

Western Michigan remained resilient offensively, capturing 55.2% from the sphere and 50% from three, however Wisconsin’s effectivity overruled the efficiency of the Broncos’, resulting in a ten-point Badgers victory.

Tray Maddox and Titus Wright every had eight factors for the Broncos within the second half on sturdy effectivity, however their efforts weren’t sufficient to stay step-in-step with the Badgers offensively, dropping them to 4-9 on the season.

The Badgers will now proceed convention play towards the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday, the place they’ll look to keep up their Prime 25 rating within the AP Ballot.