CHICAGO (AP) — The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team’s run to the NCAA tournament likely came to an end Wednesday with a 65-57 loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament.
The Badgers (17-14), who had been to 22 of the last 23 NCAA tourneys, were down 27 points five minutes into the second half. They went 1 of 8 in the final two minutes and finished 34% from the field, including 4 of 22 from deep.
La Crosse native Jordan Davis had seven points, four rebounds, a steal and a block for the Badgers. The junior played 19 minutes, and shot 3-for-6 from the field and 1 of 3 from deep.
The Buckeyes (14-18) face fifth-seed Iowa in the second round on Thursday.
Tyler Wahl had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Connor Essegian scored 11 for the Badgers , who shot 8 of 31 through almost 35 minutes before going 12 of 23 when they closed within 57-52 with 2:13 to go.
Ohio State turned it over, but Max Klesmit missed a 3-point attempt that could have cut it to two. McNeil made two free throws with 1:20 left for the Buckeyes. After that they were just 4 of 8 until Roddy Gayle Jr. made a pair with 11.2 to play to seal it.
Thornton had 13 points as the Buckeyes shot 68% to race to a 36-18 halftime lead. The Badgers missed all seven of their 3s and shot 30% (7 of 23) for their biggest halftime deficit of the season.
When Felix Okpara and Sueing opened the second half with baskets for the Buckeyes for a 40-18 lead, Wisconsin had its largest deficit of the season. When Sensabaugh hit a 3-pointer it was 57-20 with 15:31 remaining.
Both teams had their worst seed ever for the Big Ten tourney — Ohio State seeded 13thand Wisconsin seeded 12th.
TOP PHOTO: Wisconsin’s Connor Essegian drives to the basket past Ohio State’s Eugene Brown III during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men’s tournament, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Chicago. Ohio State won 65-57. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)