[media-credit name=’YANA PASKOVA/Herald Photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]Coming off of their two worst shooting games of the season, and a week where the Badgers lost as many players for the season (2) as games, Alando Tucker and the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team wanted to make a statement Wednesday night. And boy, did they ever.

Using a combination of suffocating defense and lights-out first-half shooting, the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team defeated Penn State in runaway fashion, winning by a final score of 72-43.

"Coming in, we were talking amongst ourselves saying this is going to be a statement game," Tucker said. "We wanted to prove something by coming out with a lot of energy and getting the crowd into it."

The Badgers (15-4, 5-1 Big Ten) took control by running off 21 straight points in the first half and never looked back, leading by as many as 31 points. Penn State (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) trailed the entire game.

Tucker led the way, scoring 17 points and collecting eight boards, while senior Ray Nixon and sophomore Kammron Taylor each chipped in 14 points.

In truth, however, it was the UW defense that was key in securing the victory. Wisconsin gave up a season-low 43 points in what was maybe their best defensive performance of the season. The 43 points that the Badgers allowed beats the 51 points that both Norfolk State and UNC-Wilmington put up.

"They can score. But some nights it just doesn't go, so it's the age-old question, 'is it your defense or [was it their offense],'" UW head coach Bo Ryan said of the impressive performance. "I thought it was a very good defensive effort. I thought our guys did extremely well in their positioning and what they did."

With 18:27 remaining in the first half, Penn State forward Geary Claxton made a deep jumper to tie the game at five points apiece. The Badgers then held the Nittany Lions scoreless for almost ten minutes, as the team's next basket, a tip in by Claxton, wouldn't come until there was only 8:32 left to go in the first half.

During that time, Wisconsin made seven of their next 12 shots to build a 21-point lead, fueled by Tucker and sharp 3-point shooting. Tucker poured in eight points, connecting on a pair of trifectas and a lay-up, while Nixon dropped in a pair of threes himself. Taylor also made a 3-pointer during the run. In all, Wisconsin was 8 of 16 from beyond the arc in the opening session, and took a 40-18 lead into the locker room.

"We've been having the same shots tonight that we had the past game, tonight they just went down and that's how it has to be for us," Tucker said.

Claxton ended the first half with 11 points on 5-9 shooting, but the rest of his team combined to make only two of 13 shots.

In truth, Wisconsin was never able to corral Claxton, as he finished with a team-high 17 points.

"He's long and he's active," Ryan said of Claxton. "He's a good player, and we knew that last year. He kind of manhandled Clayton Hanson [a year ago], and I think Clayton still has a couple scars from that one."

However, no other Nittany Lion managed to score over six points. Claxton scored his team's first nine points and it wasn't until there was only 5:16 left in the first period that another Nittany Lion scored.

Before the game, the Badgers learned that they would be without the services of sophomore forward Greg Stiemsma for the rest of the season, due to academic ineligibility. The news brings the number of lost Badgers this season to three, after DeAaron Williams transferred and Marcus Landry was also declared academically ineligible.

After the game, the players spoke of relief to finally have some closure and no more questions about who will be able to suit up.

"Mentally, we know we are dealing with a short rotation," Tucker said. "I think it's a relief to know now what we have."

Although the win does bring back a feeling of positive energy, Ryan warned of the impending danger awaiting that team Saturday in Ann Arbor, where UW will play Michigan.

"We're going into a hornets' nest on Saturday," Ryan said.

Both players and coaches admit, however, that it is much better to be walking into the 'hornets' nest' that is Crisler Arena coming off a win, than a third straight loss.

"This is definitely a confidence booster," Taylor said. "It's a good win. Every win is a good win."