EVANSTON, Ill. — In a competitive matchup on Saturday, John Tonje scored 27 points as the 17th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers overcame the Northwestern Wildcats, triumphing with a final score of 75-69.

Trailing 52-50 midway through the second half, Wisconsin (17-5, 7-4 in Big Ten) ignited a powerful 14-3 scoring run that propelled them into the lead for good. During this critical stretch, reserve player Carter Gilmore contributed seven points, wrapping up his performance with a total of 15 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats struggled during this period, managing only one basket from six attempts.

This victory was significant for the Badgers, who were looking to bounce back after losing two of their previous three games, which followed a seven-game winning streak.

For the Wildcats (12-10, 3-8), Jalen Leach excelled with 23 points and seven assists. However, Northwestern faced a significant blow prior to the game when it was revealed that Brooks Barnhizer, the team’s second-leading scorer, would miss the remainder of the season due to a foot injury requiring surgery.

Nick Martinelli and Ty Berry also played pivotal roles for Northwestern, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively. However, the Wildcats are now in a challenging position, with three consecutive losses and only two wins in their last nine outings.

Key Observations:

Wisconsin demonstrated exceptional free-throw prowess, boasting the nation’s best percentage as they converted 14 of 16 attempts at the foul line — including an impressive 11 for 12 in the final ten minutes of the game, which helped them maintain a buffer against Northwestern.

On the other end, Martinelli, who leads the Wildcats in scoring, found it difficult to find openings early in the game. Nevertheless, teammates Leach and Berry helped keep the team competitive with their combined nine made three-pointers.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Gilmore scored on a layup off Tonje’s missed shot with 9:24 remaining, which not only marked Wisconsin’s first lead but also prompted Northwestern to call a timeout. Despite being short-handed, the Wildcats managed to stay within reach but could not mount a significant threat thereafter.

Statistically, Wisconsin showcased improved control with only one turnover in the second half, quite the turnaround from their nine turnovers in the first half.

Looking ahead, Wisconsin will face Indiana in their next game on Tuesday evening, while Northwestern is set to host Southern California on the same night.