(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin men’s basketball team erased an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Minnesota, 67-63, on Wednesday at the Kohl Center. It’s tied for the largest second-half comeback in school history, and marks UW’s 11th-straight win over rival Minnesota – its longest streak in program history.
Badgers coach Greg Gard talked about what led to a 50-point second half.
Gard said that his team was more physical in the 2nd half.
And defense was the key to the turn-around.
John Blackwell had a game-high 23 points, including three second-half threes, and an 11-of-14 clip from the free throw line.
Blackwell said they just kept attacking.
He said that they couldn’t have won a game like that earlier this season.
Blackwell talked about the team bouncing back in the second half.
Nick Boyd had 21 points of his own, pouring in 19 during the second half. His four made triples match a Badger career-high, and are the most he’s made in a half at UW.
The Badgers (15-6, 7-3 Big Ten) fell behind early, trailing 35-17 at halftime, but came out of the break on a 9-0 run to gain momentum. That run led to continuous hot shooting as the Badgers went 70-percent from the field during the half. They made 9-of-15 threes, and forced eight Minnesota (10-11, 3-7 Big Ten) second-half turnovers to gain the lead.
Blackwell put the game to bed, scoring UW’s last seven points which included the dagger three-pointer. He had 18 points in the second period thanks to three triples and nine makes from the charity stripe.
With the win, UW picks up its second double-digit comeback victory against the Gophers this season. Blackwell’s buzzer-beater two weeks ago erased a 12-point, and lifted UW to a 78-75 victory on Jan. 13 at the Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Up Next: Wisconsin will wrap up its homestand against Ohio State on Saturday at the Kohl Center. Tip is set for 1 p.m. on FOX. The game is sold out, but tickets are available on Seatgeek.
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