SPORTS
Basketball pulls off overtime win
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Lee Ironside:
- A worthy comeback (April 16, 2003)
- So much for a down year (March 26, 2003)
- Davis needs to control sideline circus (February 19, 2003)
- Big pimpin in the H2 (January 29, 2003)
- BCS finally gets one right (December 5, 2002)
Related Stories:
- Badgers topple Buckeyes (January 29, 2004)
- Big Ten title up for grabs going into last week of play (February 27, 2002)
- UW upsets Buckeyes in OT (February 7, 2002)
- Badgers hoping to ride confidence after victory (February 8, 2002)
- Badgers looking to steal one on road (February 19, 2004)
by Lee Ironside
Thursday, February 7, 2002
It has been a year of parity in the Big Ten. No team has been invincible, and home teams have been dominant throughout the league. These trends all held true Wednesday night at the Kohl Center as the Badgers upset 16th-ranked conference leader Ohio State.
Wisconsin, who had built a 10-point lead in the second half, watched that lead slip away under the late-game pressure of Ohio State’s full-court press. The game was eventually pushed into overtime before the Badgers were able to restore their composure and earn a hard fought 94-92 win.
It is the fourth Badger victory over a ranked opponent this season, and the win keeps them in fourth place in the Big Ten with a league record of 6-5. Ohio State, meanwhile, falls to 8-3 and is now tied for the conference lead with Indiana.
The Badgers had appeared to have the game nearly secured late in regulation before a flurry of three-pointers brought the Buckeyes within striking distance. Leading by three with 10 seconds left, Ohio State was able to penetrate and kick out for an open three-point shot that put the game into overtime.
Wisconsin’s only other overtime action this season came in a loss to Temple when they failed to contain Temple’s Lynn Greer. However, this overtime session showed a marked improvement from earlier this season, and history did not repeat itself.
This time, the Badgers were able to hold on for the victory on the strength of their potent free-throw shooting. The Badgers connected on nearly 80 percent of their 24 second-half free-throw attempts.
The Badgers’ 94 points also marked a season-high in scoring for them. The scoring was well distributed for the Badgers, with four players in double figures and two players scoring 20 or more. Kirk Penney chipped in with a double-double, while Charlie Wills led the Badgers in scoring with 21 points.
