Overtime: Wisconsin Picks Apart Northwestern For 85-73 Win

MADISON, Wis. — Coming out on top for the 20th time in their last 23 Big Ten Conference openers, Wisconsin (6-2, 1-0) used a big first half to put away Northwestern (5-3, 0-1) and hang on for an 85-73 win on Wednesday. The Badgers scored 55 points, while dishing out 15 assists with no turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, able to survive the Wildcats outscoring them 41-30 after the break.

“Just the way we move the ball, 15 assists, 17 baskets. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than that,” UW head coach Greg Gard said. “As I told the team, that’s how good we can be.”

Aleksas Bieliauskas Got the Start

Wisconsin went with freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas over sophomore Austin Rapp in the starting lineup for the first time this season. While it is something Gard could go forward with, the decision to start Bieliauskas was more matchup-based, allowing junior forward Nolan Winter to play the ‘4.’

Bieliauskas had a nice game, getting settled in with an early 3-pointer, the first points for the Badgers. He finished with six points (2-5) and three rebounds in 23 minutes. UW also got the matchups they wanted with Northwestern star forward Nick Martinelli, holding the senior to just eight shot attempts.

“I think he was just solid overall,” said junior guard John Blackwell. “He brought a different dynamic to our team.”

As for Rapp, he responded in his new role. Off the bench, the Portland transfer contributed 13 points (5-8), three rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes.

“Credit to Austin Rapp,” Blackwell continued. “That shows maturity. Credit to him for not taking it personally. A lot of guys would take it personally that they got pulled out of the starting lineup. He was good all practice when the adjustment was made.”

First Half Belonged to Blackwell, the Second Half Was Boyd’s

Blackwell looked like he might set the Wisconsin single-game scoring record early. The junior guard scored 21 points in the first 19 minutes and change and needed just eight shots to get there.

While Blackwell would finish with just 26 points (8-18), Nick Boyd would carry the Badgers the rest of the way.

The senior guard scored 18 of his 20 points (7-16) after halftime. At one point, Boyd scored or assisted on 14 consecutive points for UW. Boyd also had four assists and no turnovers in 29 minutes.

“That first half, Blackwell was fantastic,” said NU head coach Chris Collins. “Everything was in the flow. He wasn’t forcing anything. I thought he took the shots as they were coming. They were finding him, and the ball was popping and moving.

“Then in the second half, when things got a little tight, Boyd took over. As we got a little tired, we were expending a lot of energy, I think, trying to get back in the game. I thought the last eight minutes, when we got a little winded, he really took advantage of that and started driving us and getting to the basket.”

Once Again, a Strong First Half Led to Wisconsin Coasting

Wisconsin played about as perfect a first half as you can in this game. The Badgers led 55-32 at the break. UW knocked down nine 3-pointers and shot 50 percent from the field, while holding Northwestern to 39 percent shooting. The Badgers also had 15 assists and zero turnovers.

As it often does, human nature crept in after UW led by as many as 27 points.

It was a sluggish second half as the Wildcats outscored the Badgers 41-30. After zero first-half turnovers, UW gave the ball away seven times in the final period. The Badgers also missed 13 of their last 18 shots from the field. NU racked up 20 points in the paint, got to the foul line 15 times, scored 10 fast break points, and averaged 1.24 points per possession after halftime.

“The second half, we weren’t nearly as sharp,” said Gard.

Game Ball

Andrew Rohde only had three points (0-3), but dished out a Wisconsin personal-best nine assists. The Virginia transfer had seven assists and zero turnovers in UW’s big first half. Getting some extended pick n’ pick-and-roll action, Rohde’s creativity and passing ability off the bounce really opened up some things for the Badgers, who shot 44 percent on Wednesday.

“Comes within the flow of the game,” said Rohde. “I definitely was looking to be a little more aggressive off the ball screens. Looking to, you know, find ways I can create and find open spots for my teammates.”

Big Picture

Nobody liked the final 20 minutes, but Northwestern had been playing close games against all of its high-major opponents. Wisconsin was the first team to really pull away from the Wildcats, who had four consecutive games decided by five points or less. The Badgers would end up leading by as many as 27 points on Wednesday.

We’re so talented offensively. As soon as we get an advantage, we can take advantage of that,” said Rohde. “So we’re just trying to get the ball moving, get them behind us, and then, if we keep making the teams pay like that, don’t be special.”

Beyond the Box Score

0: Wisconsin had zero turnovers in the first half, marking the first time that’s happened since 2015.

4:27: Northwestern went 4:27 without a field goal in the first half.

5: Rohde had five assists in the first 12:09.

11: UW used an 11-0 run in the first half to break open a 16-6 lead.

11: The Wildcats used an 11-4 run in the second half to get within 74-58 after trailing by 27.

11:05: Martinelli didn’t make a field goal until the 11:05 mark of the first half.

12:07: UW went 12:07 between made 3-pointers in the second half.

13:45: The Badgers didn’t commit a turnover until the 13:45 mark of the second half.

14: Boyd scored or assisted on 14 consecutive points to open the second half.

17: The Badgers had an assist on 17 of their first 19 made field goals.

18: Rapp had a +/- of 18.

22: UW had a 22-7 edge in points off turnovers.

27: The Badges led by as many as 27.

38:07: The Badgers led for 38:07 and only trailed for 54 seconds.

53.7: UW scored on 53.7 percent of its offensive possessions.