Wisconsin Badgers beat Holy Cross in season opener
John Tonje tries to get past a Holy Cross defender on Monday, Nov. 4. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MADISON, Wis. - John Tonje scored 23 points, John Blackwell added 16 and Wisconsin took control in the second half and subdued Holy Cross for an 85-61 season-opening win on Monday night.
Nolan Winter added 15 points after making all six of his shot attempts, two of which came from beyond 3-point range. Winter also made his lone free throw.
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Gabe Warren scored 23 points for Holy Cross and reserve Deandre Williams scored 11.
Holy Cross stunned the Badgers after racing to a 21-5 lead on 8-for-9 shooting. Wisconsin responded by outscoring the Crusaders 20-4 over and an 8 1/2-minute stretch and tied it at 25 when Tonje made a 3-pointer with 5:17 left in the first half. The two went back-and-forth until halftime and Holy Cross led 36-35 at intermission.
In the second half, Tonje made another 3 and followed that with a dunk for a 44-40 Wisconsin lead and the Badgers led the rest of the way. Blackwell's 3 with 13:07 left gave Wisconsin its first double-digit lead at 52-40.
Tonje made a pair of free throws with 10:13 left and Wisconsin stayed up by double figures for the duration.