BTN.com staff, February 3, 2013
Ben Brust scored 20 points and Wisconsin overcame a ragged start on Sunday to beat Illinois 74-68. The Badgers (15-7, 6-3 Big Ten) shot under 30 percent for most of the first half and combined with the Illini to score 14 points in the game's first eight minutes.
Wisconsin eventually started making shots and Illinois (15-8, 2-7) didn't until it was too late. The Illini closed the gap late but trailed by 15 with 5:13 to play.
Frank Kaminsky added 19 for the Badgers and Ryan Evans scored 15. The win keeps the Badgers in fifth place in the Big Ten. Illinois was led by Joseph Bertrand's 17 points. Four other Illini scored in double figures.
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Frank Kaminsky finds Ryan Evans for the flush:
Nnanna Egwu rolls for alley-oop:
Sam Dekker elevates for slam dunk:
FINAL: Frank Kaminsky scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds and Ben Brust added 20 points and five boards to lead Wisconsin to a 74-68 victory over Illinois on Sunday at Assembly Hall in Champaign.Wisconsin (15-7) seized command early in the second half with a 10-2 run that gave it a 13-point lead. One game after shooting zero free throws, the Badgers shot 28-of-42 from the free throw line. The Badgers also grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and received a double-digit effort from Ryan Evans (15 points). Joseph Bertrand had a good game for Illinois (15-8) in defeat with 17 points, seven rebounds, and 8-of-12 shooting from the field.
HALFTIME: Wisconsin went on a 12-4 run to close the first half on a high note and leads Illinois 33-24 at halftime. The rebounding edge belongs with the Badgers, by a 25-19 margin on the boards. Wisconsin's leading scorer, Jared Berggren, has been limited to just two points. Ben Brust, however, has picked up the slack with a game-high 13 points, to go along with three rebounds. Tracy Abrams led the Illini with six points, while D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, who came off the bench, each chipped in five.
John Groce just got T'd up as teams were heading to the locker room. #Badgers will shoot two free throws when the second half starts.
— Tom Lea (@TomLea09) February 3, 2013
Awful shot selection by Marshall. Bo to Marshall: "George, what are you doing?"
— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) February 3, 2013
#Illini defensive strategy should be to help create more shots and FT opportunities for Ryan Evans. #dechr
— Mark Tupper (@MarkTupper) February 3, 2013
Of #Badgers who have a FG, all are 1-3 or worse save for Bruiser (1-1).
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) February 3, 2013
Is it too soon to say Ryan Evans looks like he's entirely confident at the line today?
— Tom Lea (@TomLea09) February 3, 2013
"He's cracked the rim in two different ways." – Shon Morris, on #Illini D.J. Richardson's dunk and brick.
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) February 3, 2013
But oh my, DJ Richardson … poster dunk!
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) February 3, 2013
Pitcher's duel in Champaign. 3-2 Wisconsin
— Brad Sturdy (@Sturdy32) February 3, 2013
Bold statement from Groce to Paul. Senior was playing like All-American candidate through 12 games. UI better w/o him for stretches lately
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) February 3, 2013
Kind of chilly inside the Assembly Hall today. Someone leave the doors open? #dechr
— Mark Tupper (@MarkTupper) February 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/IllinoisLoyalty/status/298164735772327936
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