Overall: B
Wisconsin would build a lead against Nebraska only to have the Cornhuskers find a way to get back into the game.
In the first half, Wisconsin’s largest lead was nine points at 24-15 with 10:48 to play in the first half. But Nebraska went on a 10-0 run over a 4:55 stretch to take a one point lead. Wisconsin and Nebraska went back and forth to close the first half as the Badgers led 39-38 entering halftime.
To begin the second half Wisconsin was able to build their lead back up to double-digits over the first 2:09.
Ultimately, Wisconsin was able to build a lead as large as 17 points at 59-to-42 against Nebraska thanks to Davison (11 points) and Nate Reuvers (seven points) as the two were responsible for 18 of Wisconsin’s first 20 points to begin the second half.
However, Nebraska was able to fight back against Wisconsin’s defense as the Cornhuskers cut the lead to as little as five points twice in the second half.
After going down 59-42 Nebraska was able to utilize a 19-to-7 run against the Badgers to keep themselves in the game. In that stretch, Nebraska went 8-for-13 from the field, including shooting 6-for-8 on their field goal opportunities in the paint.
Nebraska cut it to five for the second time in the second half at 66-61 with 7:35 to go in the game. But the Badgers like they had done previously with Nebraska’s runs they responded with one of their own.
Wisconsin was able to close the game out on a 16-to-3 run before Greg Gard made a mass substitution and took out his core guys with 46 seconds remaining.
Over that stretch for Wisconsin, they went 5-for-9 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Compare that to Nebraska shooting 1-for-9 from the field and 1-for-2 over that same stretch.
After only allowing one offensive rebound in the first half the Badgers allowed seven in the second half, which led to 10-second chance points. Overall, Wisconsin was able to outrebound Nebraska 40-to-33.
Game MVP: D’Mitrik Trice
With Wisconsin clinging to a one point halftime lead Davison’s two made three’s to start the second half were certainly critical in helping Wisconsin regain control of the game. But it was Trice who assisted on both of his made three’s. In addition, Trice assisted on Davison’s third made three in the second half too, which extended Wisconsin’s lead to 52-40. In fact, Trice’s team leading seven assists all came in the second half as five of his seven second half assists came off of made three’s by Wisconsin. Trice certainly didn’t force anything while he was on the floor as he shot 4-for-6 from the field and 3-for-4 on his 3-point attempts. He also registered a career high 10 rebounds, which also gave him his first career double-double. Trice was also effective on the defensive end coming up with three steals too.