Badgers Complete Epic Comeback vs. Minnesota, 67-63
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers won perhaps their strangest game of the season on Wednesday, taking down Minnesota in the season’s second Border Battle, 67-63. It was unique, but they passed a huge test.
The Badgers managed to mount their biggest comeback of the season, being down by as many as 20 points in the first half. A disastrous offense to start turned into a special second half.
Disastrous First Half on Offense
Wisconsin put up its worst offensive half of the season, scoring just 17 points while shooting 18% from the field and 25% from three. After Nolan Winter nailed the first shot of the night, everything went downhill.
The defense was actually pretty impressive to start. Minnesota shot just 43% from the field and 38% from three, committing three turnovers. The Golden Gophers hit plenty of contested looks, but Bobby Durkin started too hot with 17 points in 18 minutes.
Things started to even out in the final five minutes, but Minnesota was up by as many as 20 points after a 27-6 run to open the night.
The Badgers looked extremely sloppy, committing eight turnovers in 20 minutes that led to an extra 16 points for the road team. They have lived and died by the deep ball all season, hitting just one two-pointer.
Just an unbelievably brutal half for Wisconsin. It was the least amount of points put up in a half this season, and one of the lowest point totals in recent memory.
Fantastic Two-Way Play Mounted a Comeback
The effects of not having Cade Tyson started to show for Minnesota in the second half. Without their 20-point-per-game scorer, the Golden Gophers fell flat to start, allowing Wisconsin to make things interesting.
The Badgers went on a 17-4 run before Minnesota woke up. Their defense was extremely aggressive, forcing 11 turnovers, converted to 15 points.
The Gophers switched to a zone defense in the second half, but it didn’t deter Wisconsin. The home team successfully mounted an incredible comeback, taking the lead with just over six minutes to go.
The Kohl Center was roaring through it all, going ballistic after every shot. A packed arena certainly gave the Badgers life, with the main story being their offense catching up to their tantalizing defense.
John Blackwell and Nick Boyd led the comeback, shooting with unbelievable efficiency in the final 20 minutes (69.2% combined).
With one minute to go, Blackwell got to the free-throw line to take a one-point lead before nailing a game-sealing three with less than 20 seconds to go.
The junior guard finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. Boyd, who was just as instrumental, recorded 21 points and five assists. Both stars shot 4-for-9 from three.
In its grittiest win of the season, Wisconsin moves to 15-6 on the season and 7-3 in the Big Ten. The Badgers are now 24-5 against Minnesota in the Border Battle since 2010.
