No. 10 Wisconsin held off Indiana in a Big Ten basketball showdown, 65-60, on Sunday marking the seventh straight victory for the Badgers.
The Wisconsin Badgers handed the Indiana Hoosiers their third loss in four games after holding off several late pushes down the stretch.
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Ethan Happ scored 20 points for the Badgers, going 8-of-10 from the field. Nigel Hayes struggled offensively for Wisconsin but recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Make it seven straight.
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 5, 2017
On, WWWWWWWisconsin.#AllTheWayUp ☝️ #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/cgF3gKPIMA
Indiana shot better from the field, three-point territory and from the line. They were unable to slow down the Badgers from close-range and allowed 31 free-throw attempts. Wisconsin made them pay by converting on 23 of those 31 attempts.
Wisconsin led by 12 points in the first half but went cold and allowed Indiana to tie it up. The Hoosiers never held a lead during the game. Indiana kept the second half close, but the Badgers went 8-of-10 from the line in the last 2:12 to seal the win.
The Hoosiers had three players in double-figures for points, but the free-throws were just too much to overcome in the end. Indiana falls to 15-9 overall and 5-6 in Big Ten play.
The Badgers continue to dominate the Hoosiers, winning three in a row and 17 of 19 over the last nine years. They will finish out the conference schedule playing four teams with losing conference records and should improve their tournament resume.
With the win Wisconsin moves to 20-3 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten basketball play, giving them sole possession of first place.
Next: Three takeaways from Purdue's road victory over Maryland
Tom Crean’s Hoosiers began the season 8-2 with two wins against top five teams but have lost seven of their last 12. Indiana will play six of their final seven games against a ranked opponent on the road.