Sports

Badgers top Gallos in exhibition finale

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• Freshmen provide UW basketball with needed depth (November 12, 2002)
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Also by Drew Hansen:

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The UW men’s basketball team finished the preseason 2-0 Saturday night, defeating Gallos de Pelea of the Mexican National Basketball League 97-55 in front of more than 16,000 fans at the Kohl Center. Every player scored for UW as the Gallos frontcourt got into early foul trouble, allowing the Badgers free range to the paint for most of the evening.

Kirk Penney provided plenty of early offense, getting the Badgers up with a quick 6-0 lead on a three-point field goal and then converting a 3-point play after being fouled on a lay-up. Penney finished the half with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

The Badgers took advantage of 19 points off 13 Gallos turnovers, and they also outscored the defending MNBL champions 20-10 in the paint. Andreas Helmigk also shined early for the Badgers, making good moves in the post while the Gallos’ big men were still in the game, finishing the half with seven points.

“We got easier shots in the post by getting their guys into foul trouble,” head coach Bo Ryan said. “But you don’t get them into foul trouble if you’re settling for bad jump shots. We didn’t give into the temptation of shooting from the perimeter. We touched the post, and that’s how we got their two big guys fouled out. If those guys didn’t get into foul trouble, it’d be a completely different game.”

Devin Harris showed prowess at the point, limiting his shots while making solid passes. The sophomore finished the game with five points, eight assists and only one turnover.

Junior Dave Mader took control of the post in the second half, finishing with nine rebounds and 10 points. Mader said he is feeling more comfortable in the post after paying his dues last season in a limited starting role.

“Just that one year of experience, it’s a big boost because you understand what’s going on,” Mader said. “It just helps to understand. You’re a little more intelligent out there, and you just understand what’s going on.”

“He was aggressive tonight,” Penney said about Mader’s performance. “That’s so important: to go in there, not be hesitant, and just attack.”

Freshman Alando Tucker continued to shine for the Badgers, finishing with 10 points and three rebounds. Tucker turned to the second half into a highlight reel, jumping into the rafters for several eye-raising dunks, including an alley-oop from junior Freddie Owens.

Forwards Jose Escobedo and Samuel Bowie led the way for Gallos de Pellea, with 12 and 13 points respectively. Bowie and Escobedo, along with center Enrique Rodriquez, were in foul trouble most of the evening. With their frontcourt in foul trouble, the Gallos attempted to use their long-range shooting to get back into the game. The team went on to shoot three of 20 from three-point range.

“It’s kind of like what we had to do [last season] against Maryland,” Ryan said. “They tried to get back into the game from the three-point line, and when those aren’t going in, it’s just not pretty. They’re a better team than they showed tonight”

Kirk Penney led all scorers with 21 points despite sitting on the bench for much of the second half. Ryan made an effort to get all his players in the game, all of whom made their marks in the scoring book.

“It’s good to see the guys out there so enthusiastic,’ Penney said. “They want to be in the game so badly, and they got a good opportunity; it’s great to see.”

Wisconsin has won 21 consecutive exhibition games going back to 1992. The Badgers start the regular season next weekend as they host the NABC Classic at the Kohl Center.

“We’ve got a lot of improvement to do,” Penney said. “We’ve got so much work to do, and we’ve got one more week before we play for keeps. We’ve got to be ready.”