Wisconsin Badgers fall 69-67 to Western Illinois in season opener

MADISON — Garrett Covington hit two fouls shots with 10.2 seconds left, and Western Illinois shocked No. 17 Wisconsin with a 69-67 win on Friday night.

A team picked to finish last in the Summit League upset a Big Ten power coming off back-to-back Final Four appearances in the season opener for both teams.

The Leathernecks led by as much as eight midway through the second half before Wisconsin mounted a furious rally to tie it at 67 with 2 minutes left on Vitto Brown's layup.

That set up Covington's two late foul shots. Wisconsin's Bronson Koenig missed a mid-range jumper with 3 seconds left.

Western Illinois grabbed the rebound and celebrated as if it had just won an NCAA Tournament game.