Wisconsin beats Rutgers in home finale
The Wisconsin bench celebrates a dunk during a college basketball game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights on March 7, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire
MADISON, Wis. - AJ Storr scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Wisconsin to a 78-66 win over Rutgers in its final home game of the season on Thursday.
The Badgers (19-11), who finished 14-3 at home, picked up their 11th Big Ten Conference win of the season to move into a three-way tie with Nebraska and Northwestern, all at 11-8 in conference with one game left to play.
Rutgers built an early lead, taking a 24-15 advantage with 7:44 left in the first half. John Blackwell and Storr hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Blackwell added two free throws to cap an 15-2 run that put the Badgers in front, 30-26 with 2:34 left and they held a 34-23 advantage at intermission.
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Gavin Griffiths hit from deep to give Rutgers a 47-40 lead with 14:35 left in the game. but Kamari McGee hit from deep to tie the game at 47-47, and after Steven Crowl dunked to tie it again at 49-49 McGee scored six of Wisconsin's run of 10 straight points to take a double-digit lead and the Badgers pulled away in the final five minutes.
Storr hit 8 of 15 from the field and Crowl finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Blackwell was 9 of 10 from the line and added another 17 points and McGee finished with 11.
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Jeremiah Williams scored 16 points to lead the Scarlet Knights (15-15, 7-12). Griffith added 14 points and Jamichael Davis 10.
Wisconsin will seek its 20th win when it travels to face No. 3 Purdue in its regular season finale Sunday. Rutgers plays host to Ohio State Sunday.