INDIANAPOLIS — John Tonje delivered a standout performance by scoring 26 points, matching his career best with six 3-pointers as No. 18 Wisconsin equaled the Big Ten Tournament’s single-game record with 19 3-pointers in an 86-70 triumph over fourth-seeded UCLA on Friday.
Tonje contributed significantly with nine rebounds and four assists. His near-flawless shooting saw him make 9 of 10 field goals, excelling particularly on 3-point attempts where he went a spotless 6 for 6. This victory propels the Badgers (25-8) into Saturday’s first semifinal match against No. 7 Michigan State.
Alongside Tonje, John Blackwell played a crucial role by adding 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while successfully making four from beyond the arc. A total of six Badgers registered at least one 3-pointer in the game. Notably, Iowa achieved a similar feat of 19 3-pointers against Northwestern three years prior.
For UCLA (22-10), Sebastian Mack was a notable performer with 18 points. As the Bruins head into the NCAA Tournament with a record of four wins and four losses over their past eight games, Kobe Johnson added 14 points to their effort.
Wisconsin managed to firmly establish their lead by closing out the first half with a sequence of effective 3-point shooting, resulting in a 48-29 lead.
Takeaways:
Wisconsin: Coach Greg Gard’s strategic overhaul of the Badgers’ offense has evidently paid off this season, with Friday’s exceptional shooting display serving as a testament. However, the upcoming challenge is to secure a victory in a third consecutive game, this time against a top 10 opponent.
UCLA: Competing in their initial Big Ten tournament game, the Bruins struggled significantly. Their shooting accuracy was merely 32.4%, coupled with inefficiency in defending the 3-point line, leading to an enduring double-digit trailing. Now, UCLA must consider the possibility of this loss affecting their seed in the NCAA tournament.
Key moment:
The Badgers converted a tight game into a commanding victory by successfully landing five successive 3-pointers during a pivotal 15-7 run late in the first half.
Key stat:
Wisconsin impressively made 12 3-pointers in the first half, while UCLA was limited to just 11 total baskets.
Looking ahead:
As Wisconsin heads into their next clash hoping to balance the season series against the Spartans after their earlier defeat in East Lansing on March 2, UCLA will shift focus to the NCAA Tournament draw, returning home to prepare for what’s next.
