MADISON, Wis. — John Tonje delivered a stellar performance with 27 points, leading No. 18 Wisconsin to an impressive 83-55 victory over Nebraska on Sunday. This defeat marked the Cornhuskers’ sixth straight loss, further deepening their struggles this season.
Wisconsin improved its record to 16-4 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten after a recent setback against UCLA, where they lost 85-83, breaking a seven-game winning streak.
The Badgers established a commanding 19-2 lead in the opening minutes, showcasing remarkable shooting with 7 of 8 from the field and 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. Nebraska managed to claw back with a 19-5 run of their own, capitalizing on a scoring drought for Wisconsin that lasted over six minutes. However, Wisconsin quickly regrouped, launching a dominant 16-2 scoring spree, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Cornhuskers.
In addition to Tonje’s highlight performance, John Blackwell contributed 14 points, while Kamari McGee added 11. On the Nebraska side, Brice Williams led the team with 11 points. Connor Essegian, a transfer from Wisconsin, faced his old team for the first time and scored eight points.
Insights from the game pointed to Nebraska’s recent struggles. In four of their defeat during this losing streak, they had been within a single possession during the final moments of regulation; however, Sunday’s contest proved to be less competitive. The Cornhuskers adjusted their lineup with Sam Hoiberg and Andrew Morgan starting for the first time this season but still could not find their footing.
On the other hand, Wisconsin demonstrated the importance of maximizing their home advantage as they engage in a challenging stretch where they only play two home games over eight outings. They certainly made their presence felt on this occasion.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Wisconsin held a narrow 25-21 lead. Jack Janicki executed a steal and transitioned it into a dunk just before halftime. This electrifying play ignited a 16-2 run, boosting Wisconsin’s lead to 17 points and effectively shifting the momentum.
In terms of statistics, Wisconsin’s shooting performance was remarkable, as they connected on 17 of 37 attempts from beyond the arc, tying for the third-highest single-game total of three-pointers in the history of the program.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin is set to visit Maryland on Wednesday, while Nebraska has a challenging matchup against No. 17 Illinois on Thursday.
