Wisconsin Badgers move on in NCAA tournament

(LEARFIELD) DENVER – Guard John Blackwell scored 19 points to lead five Wisconsin Badgers in double figures in Thursday’s 85-66 win over Montana in an NCAA first-round game.

The Grizzlies had melted the lead to just four points, 51-47 when a 3-pointer by Carter Gilmore, a pair of critical defensive plays, and a run of eight straight points put the game out of reach.

Steve Crowl was close behind Blackwell with 18 points.

Badgers coach Greg Gard talked about the win.

Gard said that the team got a lot of contributions from the bench.

Crowl said the team put last year’s first-round loss to James Madison behind them.

Blakcwell said the Badgers tightened up the defense in the second half.

Wisconsin advances to the second round with a Saturday game against BYU.