Matthew Mayer plays big role in Baylor Basketball’s win over Wisconsin

Just seven years ago, these two faced off in the Sweet 16. Seven years later, both teams collided for a spot in the Sweet 16. This go around, it was Baylor Basketball that was able to handle the Badgers, avenging the loss from 2014.

Wisconsin is coming off a 23 point thrashing of North Carolina and made 13 three-pointers in the game. For Baylor, they defeated Hartford in the first round, 79-55.

Both teams started out of the gates relatively slow on offense through the first six minutes. The Bears and Badgers combined for six of 16 shots and a 7-7 score at the first media timeout.

Back and forth each would go, with a 7-0 run by Baylor would give them a lead. Each team had sparks off the bench, with Johnathon Davis for Wisconsin and Matthew Mayer for Baylor.

Baylor would go on a run, led by a plethora of players. With lob passes and scoring in the paint, Baylor stretched their lead to as much as nine. Wisconsin is among the best teams at keeping the ball.

However, that was not the case on Sunday, with eight first-half turnovers. The Badgers as a whole, give the ball up just 8.9 times per game. That became a story of the first half, with the Bears getting their first turnover with just three minutes left in the half.

That success would continue as a shot to beat the buzzer would go in from Adam Flagler. Defensive intensity and bench help would elevate the Bears to a 42-29 lead, heading into halftime.

Wisconsin would come out of the break, with a two-center lineup, that gave the Bears some trouble on the offensive end. The Badgers would go on a 10-2 run, led by the improved defense and strong scoring in the paint.

It would be the three-point shooting from the Badgers that helped them in the first-round game. Both teams shot well, but Baylor was able to get enough stops and held the Badgers to just 63 points total and secured a 13 point win.