(WNFL) – The Wisconsin Badgers outscored Southern Methodist University 20-8 down the stretch to defeat the Mustangs 69-61 at Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday.
Tyler Wahl led Wisconsin with 14 points and 6 rebounds and earned Tournament MVP honors. Max Klesmit added 12 points while AJ Storr had 11 points and Chucky Hepburn and John Blackwell each added 10.
SMU which led 32-24 at halftime was led by Zhuric Phelps with 19 points.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Wisconsin claimed its sixth November non-conference tournament championship over the last 20 years. UW has now gone 30-13 (.698) in non-conference November tournaments since 2005. UW is 11-7 under head coach Greg Gard in such tournaments.
- Trailing by 10 (40-30) with 13:00 remaining, the Badgers pulled out their first double-digit, second-half comeback since a 71-68 overtime win over Nicholls on Dec. 15, 2021.
- In the second half, Wisconsin scored 45 points shooting 53.6% from the field and 4-for-10 from 3-point range. The Badgers also went 11-for-12 from the free throw line after intermission.
- Tournament MVP, Tyler Wahl, finished with 14 points and six rebounds (four offensive). For the tournament, Wahl averaged 11.5 ppg and 8.0 rpg, including 11 total offensive boards.
- Junior Steven Crowl earned All-Tournament honors posting five points, eight rebounds (four offensive) and two assists. For the tournament, Crowl averaged 10.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg.
- Freshman John Blackwell tallied 10 points, a career-high nine rebounds (three offensive) and two assists in 22 minutes off the bench.
- Junior Chucky Hepburn posted 10 points (2-4 3FGs) all in the second half
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