The Wisconsin Badgers took down the No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers 97-93 on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, finishing their regular season with their fourth top 15 victory of the season.
Wisconsin’s 3-point success was instrumental in their win, as the Badgers shot 52.9% from beyond the arc with six players contributing from 3-point land. It was further demonstration that when Wisconsin shoots the 3 well, they are unstoppable.
John Blackwell led the way for the Badgers, scoring a game high 25 points while shooting 50% from 3. He was fired up this game and hungry for the win. “I think we’re the best backcourt in the country,” Blackwell said.
The Badgers trailed for most of the first half as both teams traded baskets. With junior forward Nolan Winter out, it could have been a disastrous offensive performance, missing his dominant presence down low and ability to stretch the floor, but the Badgers proved they could still produce without him.
Wisconsin proceeded to go on a 12-3 run with 7:30 left to take a 37-32 lead, eventually going into half time with a 52-47 lead with momentum building against a relentless Purdue squad.
Wisconsin opened the second half by building a quick nine-point lead, but Purdue quickly responded with a 10–0 run to take the lead at 14:59. With Purdue surging, and a raucous home court on their side, Wisconsin was on the ropes. The Badgers responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead at 13:03.
Freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas hit a big 3-pointer to put the Badgers up by five with just under 12 minutes to go in the game.
After a back and forth second half, the Badgers were able to put the game away with crucial free throws at the end and a magical contested layup from Nick Boyd. Boyd, with 23 points and five assists, utilized his elite playmaking to electrify Wisconsin's offense.
Austin Rapp, with an elevated role due to Winter’s absence, added 17 points, knocking down 4 of 8 shots from beyond the arc. His shooting proved crucial, including two big first-half 3- pointers that helped get the Badgers back in the game.
With the regular season coming to an end, the Badgers now turn their attention to conference tournament play in Chicago, which for 5-seed Wisconsin begins on Thursday March 12 at 1:30 p.m. against the winner of 12-seed Washington and 13-seed USC.
