Tonje and Badgers Poise Derail Purdue at Mackey

Tonje and Badgers Poise Derail Purdue at Mackey

written by: Steven Stremming, Excel H Sports/USBWA

photos by: Greg Flint, Excel H Sports/Flint Photography

press conference by: Cainan Harper/Excel H Sports/Indiana Sports Network

North Omaha, Nebraska’s, John Tonje, grad student lit the Boilermakers up in the second half, as he poured in 22 of his 32 points to lead the Badgers to victory.

Tonje in the second half scored ten (10) straight points that gave Wisconsin the lead they would not give up.

The Badgers tallied 18 made field goals out of 25 shots that included six three-pointers and never turned the ball over in the second half.

Purdue’s main threat was the play of Trey Kaufman-Renn who scored 30 points (career high) and Braden Smith, 12 assists.

Fletcher Loyer added 15 points for the Boilers with most coming in the first half as Purdue posted a 37 to 36 lead.

Wisconsin’s poise was shown clearly in the second half as they ran the shot clock down and then capitalized on their experience. Max Klesmit, 6’4 Senior, Neenah, Wisconsin went calmly to the free throw line and sank six straight shots in helping maintain the Badger lead.

While Klesmit was doing his damage, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Sophomore John Blackwell was driving the lane and sinking several lay-ups to keep Purdue at arm’s length.

Two more Badgers, Lakeville, Minnesota’s Nolan Winter added 12 points while White Bear Lake, Minnesota’s, redshirt freshman, Jack Janicki sank three three-pointers, most coming at the two second mark of the shot clock from deep in the corners.

Neither team has a break coming up as Wisconsin return home to Illinois and Purdue travels to Michigan State.

The following is courtesy of Indiana Sports Network

#7 Purdue MBB Coach Matt Painter Post-Game Press Conference After 94-84 Loss to #16 Wisconsin – YouTube

#7 Purdue MBB Coach Matt Painter Post-Game Press Conference After 94-84 Loss to #16 Wisconsin Part 2

#16 Wisconsin’s Greg Gard Post-game Press Conference After 94-84 Win Over #7 Purdue

#7 Purdue MBB Players Post-Game Press Conference After 94-84 Loss to #16 Wisconsin

 

The following is courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Athletics

• Wisconsin reached 10 wins in conference play for the 21st time in the last 24 seasons, more than any other Big Ten school.
• The Badgers tallied their 2nd top-10 win of the season and now have 14 top-10 wins in 10 seasons under Greg Gard, including 7 of those coming away from home.
• Wisconsin’s 10-point win, was its largest over Purdue since a 71-51 win in the 2015 Big Ten Tournament and its 94 points are its most points ever scored in a road win over an AP Top-25 team.
• John Tonje scored a game-high 32 points. Including 41 points vs. #9 Arizona earlier this season, Tonje is the nation’s only player to post multiple 30-point games vs. top-10 opponents this season.