The Wisconsin Badgers won their third straight game on Tuesday night, beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 78-75 off a last second 3-pointer from junior guard John Blackwell.
The game started out neck and neck, with each team trading buckets. Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd started off the scoring for the Badgers with a drive down the lane to a pull up floater. Boyd contributed 11 points on the night and helped the Badgers control the tempo when they were in a significant deficit early in the second half.
The Badgers, who trailed for most of the first half, led twice before halftime. The Gophers held Wisconsin scoreless for the last 5:11 seconds of the first half, and Minnesota went into the break with a 35-28 lead.
Wisconsin’s lackadaisical defense allowed the Gophers to manipulate them and draw fouls. Wisconsin struggled immensely on the offense towards the end of the first half, whether it was a wide open look or a contested shot when the shot clock was winding down.
It was a different story for the Badgers coming out of the locker room after halftime. While Minnesota still led most of the second half, Blackwell and former Gopher Braedon Carrington paved the way for Wisconsin’s comeback.
The duo led the Badgers on a 14-0 run over a four minute stretch to give them a 66-57 lead late in the second half. The Gophers then made a push to regain the lead, eventually bringing the game within three in the final minute. The Gophers tightened up their defense and forced Wisconsin to take uncomfortable shots which they could not convert on. The Badgers missed three of their last four free throws, which allowed Minnesota to stay in the game.
With the Gophers trailing by three, Minnesota's Cade Tyson drained a shot from beyond the arc to tie the game at 75. Blackwell then proceeded to receive the inbound and dribble up the left side of the court. With everyone still in awe of Tyson tying the game, Blackwell struck back ferociously, hitting the dagger right as the final buzzer sound.
“I was always taught to go get the ball and get a shot up… I went to my go-to move, [the] hesi three,” Blackwell said after the game.
Blackwell was the star of the show during Tuesday’s contest, tallying 27 points on 5-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc with Minnesota unable to stop him. He also showed off his inside game as well, weaving around multiple defenders and getting to the rim efficiently..
Carrington was also instrumental in the win. The Minnesota native received boos all night but chalked up a season high 21 points for himself on 7-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
Carrington has proved himself more and more each game on why he deserves to be in the Badgers rotation with his exceptional shooting ability and the way he sees the floor, always being able to find the right guy in transition. “I got a coaching staff that believes in me and knows what I can do,” Carrington said after the game.
The Badgers continue Big Ten play Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 9-8 (2-4 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center.
