Penn State overwhelms Wisconsin basketball in the 2H for an 81-71 win

The Badgers drop their fourth Big Ten game

Penn State (6-7, 3-6) were the aggressors on both ends in a final 20 minutes that saw them take control in Happy Valley. After No. 14 Wisconsin (13-4, 7-4), led by a superhuman first half from sophomore Tyler Wahl, were up by three at half, the Nittany Lions took over with an attack-first mindset on offense and rowdy double teams on defense. Penn State ultimately controlled the second half en route to an 81-71 win.

After a back and forth start, Micah Potter was forced to the bench for the final 9 minutes and change of the first half with his second foul. In a moment where the Nittany Lions looked ready to pounce, Wahl played one of the best stretches of his Badger career. The sophomore dominated on the block, starting 5-5 from the field.

With Nate Reuvers also stepping up while Potter was on the pine, the Badgers used their interior offense to push them to a 34-31 halftime lead.

It was adjustments from head coach Jim Ferry and the Nittany Lions at the break that lead Penn State to their sixth win of the year. Penn State began sending a double at the Badger bigs, and Wisconsin struggled to adjust with quicker decision making. On the offensive end, Myreon Jones and Izaiah Brockington got into the lane and tirelessly took it to the rack. Nittany Lion big John Harrar got involved by running the floor and finishing well on the interior.

Wisconsin allowed uncharacteristic dribble penetration and the Nittany Lions took control quickly. Despite improved defense late, Penn State made too many tough shots to allow a Badger comeback. It was the first 8 minutes of the second half that made all the difference, with Penn State turning a 3 point deficit into a 6 point cushion.

It was a major struggle for D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison on the offensive end, as they combined to go 5-20 from the field for 14 points. The Badgers now regroup to face Penn State again, this time at the Kohl Center on Tuesday.