MADISON, Wisc. — In their season opener, Wisconsin secured a commanding 85-61 victory over Holy Cross, powered by standout performances from John Tonje and John Blackwell. Tonje notched up 23 points, while Blackwell contributed 16, leading the Badgers to take control in the second half of the match.

Nolan Winter was also instrumental for Wisconsin, scoring 15 points without missing a shot, including two successful attempts from beyond the arc and making his only free throw. On the Holy Cross side, Gabe Warren was the standout player, with a total of 23 points, while Deandre Williams, coming off the bench, added 11 points to the scoreline.

Holy Cross shocked the Badgers early on, establishing a solid 21-5 lead with impressive shooting that saw them hit 8 of their 9 attempts. However, Wisconsin quickly rallied, going on a 20-4 run over an 8.5-minute period, allowing them to equalize the score at 25 with Tonje’s 3-pointer with 5:17 remaining in the first half. The teams exchanged baskets before halftime, leading to Holy Cross holding a narrow 36-35 edge at the break.

As the second half commenced, Tonje hit another 3-pointer followed by a dunk, pushing Wisconsin ahead 44-40. From that point onward, the Badgers maintained their advantage decisively. Blackwell’s 3-pointer with 13:07 remaining in the game extended Wisconsin’s lead into double digits for the first time at 52-40.

With just over 10 minutes left in the game, Tonje converted a pair of free throws, ensuring the Badgers stayed comfortably ahead by double digits until the final buzzer.