Badgers cruise to 79-45 win

In Big Ten men's basketball, the Wisconsin Badgers beat Mississippi Valley State 79-45. ordan Taylor sparked the Badgers, as he scored 17 points and knocked down 5-of-9 shot attempts in the win. Jared Berggren had a quality shooting game, nailing 4-of-7 shots from the field and scoring 15 points. All teams are off Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Get caught up on both leagues via the men's stats and men's standings as well as the women's stats and standings.

Wisconsin 79, MVSU 45:  BOX | AP RECAP

FINAL: No. 14 Wisconsin used stingy defense to defeat Mississippi Valley State 79-45 on Friday at the Kohl Center in Madison. Wisconsin (11-2) held Mississippi Valley State (1-10) well below its season average of 65.5 points per game in the victory. The Badgers held the Delta Devils to 29 percent shooting from the field and grabbed 26 defensive rebounds, while only allowing six offensive rebounds.

After going into the break with momentum, Wisconsin kept its foot on the gas to start the second half. The Badgers were winning 34-22 late in the first before they went on a 28-6 run to extend their lead to 34 points in the middle of the second half. Wisconsin broke out for a 21-3 run to take a 16-point lead in the first. Ryan Evans capped the run off with a free throw to help the Badgers lead 39-22 at the half.

Jordan Taylor sparked the Badgers, as he scored 17 points and knocked down 5-of-9 shot attempts in the win. Jared Berggren had a quality shooting game, nailing 4-of-7 shots from the field and scoring 15 points. Wisconsin hit 50 percent of its field goals (22-of-44). The Badgers went 31-of-44 from the charity stripe as a team (70 percent). More Wisconsin scoring came from Josh Gasser, who scored 11 points.

Cor-J Cox scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and made 4-of-7 shots from the floor for Mississippi Valley State in the loss. Mississippi Valley State also got double-digit performances from Terrence Joyner and Paul Crosy, who scored 14 points each. Winning the rebounding battle was a key to victory for Wisconsin as it outrebounded the Delta Devils 35-22. The victory extends the Badgers' streak to five games, but Mississippi Valley State has now lost six games in a row.

HALFTIME: The rout appears to be on as No. 14 Wisconsin has jumped out to a 39-22 lead over Mississippi Valley State at the half. The rebounding edge belongs with the Badgers, by a 20-12 margin on the boards. Wisconsin built its lead by attacking the rim and getting to the foul line. Through 20 minutes of play, the Badgers are 14-for-20 from the free throw line. Wisconsin trailed early in the game when it broke out for a 17-0 run to overtake the Delta Devils and seize a 17-2 lead.

Wisconsin got points from seven different players. Mississippi Valley State's leading scorer, Terrence Joyner, has been contained by the Badgers thus far. The senior enters halftime with three points, well below his season average of 12.8. The Delta Devils shared the ball, finishing with four assists on six field goals in the first half. Wisconsin's Josh Gasser had a big first half, with 10 points. Cor-J Cox is putting together a nice game so far for Mississippi Valley State. The senior has five points and six rebounds.

PREVIEW: Terrence Joyner, one of five seniors logging major minutes this season for Mississippi Valley State, is posting 12.8 points per game for a team that relies heavily on an experienced rotation. Mississippi Valley State's veteran squad will take on the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2) at Stephen C. O'Connell Center today. The Badgers are known for playing extremely tough defense, holding opponents to 33.8 percent field goal shooting and 44.7 points per game this season. Jared Berggren leads the way with 1.6 steals per game, and Wisconsin forces 13 turnovers per game.

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