seemed fitting the Badgers would make the game just as dramatic as everything leading up to it.
As the first half came to a close, there was plenty of buzz to keep the Badger fans that didn't make it out to Iowa busy during the break. Whether it was Head Coach Bo Ryan's decision to put junior guard Clayton Hanson on the floor in his first start or sophomore guard Boo Wade's first game back since his suspension was lifted or the memories of Northwestern pounding of the Badgers last weekend, there was plenty of talk surrounding the No. 14 Badgers (7-2 Big Ten, 16-4 overall) against Iowa (5-5, 12-9).
It was a rocky shooting night for both teams. Against the top scoring offense in the Big Ten, Wisconsin shot less than 40 percent, but managed to contain Big Ten player of the week, sophomore guard Jeff Horner to five points after averaging 19 last week. The Badgers did struggle to quiet sophomore guard Pierre Pierce, who had 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting.
Hanson lit up the floor early in the game for Wisconsin, making three of his first four three-point attempts and nine of the Badgers' first 11 points. While Wade did not start in his first opportunity back, he entered the game only a few minutes into the first half, shooting 2-of-6 including an early dish from junior guard Devin Harris. Wade seemed to be feeling his way out back onto the court before what should be an interesting homecoming Saturday.
Wisconsin came into the second half up seven points on an average shooting night for the Badgers. Harris led the team with 16 points, including a clutch jumper at the end of the second half, while Hanson and junior forward Mike Wilkinson both were in double figures. Wisconsin let a 10-point lead evaporate at the end, staying offensively quiet for almost four minutes before Harris' jumper with 4:05 remaining.
With time ticking down, the Badgers' shooting difficulties continued as the Hawkeyes battled their way back. With 41 seconds left, a three-pointer by senior forward Glenn Worley brought Iowa to within two. Zach Morley attempted a shot on the other end of the court, but it was short and rebounded by sophomore forward Greg Brunner, giving the Hawkeyes a chance to steal the game from the Badgers. But Horner missed the three and Wisconsin held on in the low-scoring game, 54-52.
It was an important win for the Badgers coming off last Saturday's loss and with the Big Ten race hotly contested after Illinois roasted Michigan State. The Badgers remain atop the Big Ten with Illinois close behind, not to mention the importance of this victory as a morale booster for a team that has struggled on the road. Big Ten road victories are a rare occurrence with plenty of ranked teams being knocked off by unranked opponents.
