Wisconsin Badgers clip California 68-56
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Nigel Hayes had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 6 Wisconsin returned from a nine-day break to beat California 68-56 on Monday night.
Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky added 14 points apiece in the first game for the Badgers (11-1) since beating Nicholls State 86-43 on Dec. 13.
Tyrone Wallace scored 17 points and Jordan Mathews added 15 for the Golden Bears (10-2), who had their seven-game winning streak snapped. Cal had been off to its best start in 55 years under first-year coach Cuonzo Martin, with the only previous loss coming in New York against nationally ranked Texas.
Wisconsin was a bit sluggish early but built a double-digit lead late in the first half and was never really threatened the rest of the way.