MADISON, Wis. — In a commanding display, 11th-ranked Wisconsin rebounded from their recent loss with a decisive 88-62 victory over Washington on Tuesday night. John Blackwell led the charge for the Badgers with an impressive performance, recording 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
John Tonje contributed significantly with 13 points for Wisconsin, which now holds a 22-6 overall record and 12-5 in the Big Ten Conference. The Badgers sought redemption after a disappointing overtime defeat to Oregon, where they squandered a 15-point lead in the final minutes.
In addition to Blackwell and Tonje’s efforts, Steven Crowl and Xavier Amos each added 12 points, bolstering Wisconsin’s offense. For Washington, Great Osobor managed to score 11 points in a losing effort. This result marks Washington’s third consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 13-15 overall and 4-13 in conference play.
Wisconsin established dominance early, taking a 25-15 lead midway through the first half and widening it to a 43-28 advantage at halftime by converting 10 of their final 13 shots. Maintaining their momentum, the Badgers hit 10 of their first 16 shots in the second half, with Amos’s layup extending the lead to 64-42.
Blackwell was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting and nailing three of his four attempts from beyond the arc. Later in the game, his two free throws advanced Wisconsin’s lead to 78-48 with just under seven minutes to play.
Looking at the broader picture, Washington faces a grim prospect as it nears the season’s conclusion. With just three games remaining, the Huskies might miss the 15-team Big Ten Tournament during their inaugural season in the conference. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s record shows a compelling statistic: the team is 31-1 dating back to last season when they hold opponents to 70 points or fewer, which includes a 15-1 record this season.
A pivotal moment came when Kamari McGee’s layup capped a 6-0 run, significantly contributing to the Badgers’ 39-22 advantage late in the first half. A notable improvement for Wisconsin was their ball management; after committing 17 turnovers against Oregon, they reduced this number to just five against Washington.
Looking forward, Washington will host Indiana on Saturday, hoping to recover some form. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is set to face No. 8 Michigan State on Sunday.
