WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seniors Charlie Wills and Travon Davis both reached double-figures in the Badgers effort against the Maryland Terrapins today at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. After controlling the lead for much of the first half Wisconsin (19-13) struggled in the second, allowing Maryland (28-4) to win 87-57. The Badgers, expected by many before the season to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten, ended their season as conference champions and among only 32 teams to make it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Wills led the Badgers in scoring, earning 17 points and six rebounds. Davis was 5-7 from the field, contributing 15 points, four boards and three assists. Junior Kirk Penney brought in nine points, while Devin Harris and Mike Wilkinson each had seven points.
Wisconsin struggled with its accuracy from the field throughout the 40 minutes, while Maryland was much more successful. The Badgers began the game shooting around 50 percent, but ended the game at 36 percent. Maryland, however, started the game with about 30 percent accuracy, but by the end of the first half they had made 12 of 24 attempts, ending the game at 52 percent from the field.
After a close first half the Badgers struggled in the opening of the second 20 minutes. The Terps allowed Wisconsin only eight points in the first 11 minutes. During that time Maryland scored 31 points with 18 of them coming from guard Juan Dixon. Dixon had a game-high 29 points off 10-19 shooting from the field.
The Maryland surge was more than the Badgers could overcome. They brought the lead down to 20, at 69-49, with 5:24 to play thanks to a lay-up by Wilkinson and a couple of free throws from Davis.
Maryland did not let up, however, as Lonny Baxter went on to score nine more Terrapin points and Wisconsin’s shooting accuracy did not improve. Maryland’s final 30-point advantage ended the Badgers season.
In the first half Wisconsin was able to control the ball for much of the half. After winning the opening tip the Badgers quickly established themselves in the game. The team shot 50 percent from the field with an opening two by Penney, and a pair of threes by Davis and Wills. The Badgers led by four points after the Wills trey with 14:52 remaining in the half.
The Terps came back to tie (14-14) with a pair of frees by Tahj Holden and a dunk by Chris Wilcox at 11:36. Wilkinson answered with a three-pointer off a Dave Mader assist to again put the lead in Bucky’s favor.
Wisconsin held on to the lead until 5:45 when Wilcox made a fast-break lay-up putting Maryland even at 23 points. The Terps then took over the game, using a 15-5 run to give them a 10-point lead at 38-28, with just over a minute to play in the half. A Maryland foul drawn by Wills gave him a chance to cut the lead to eight. He made both and the Badgers went into the half down 30-38.
With today’s game Wills has now played in 129 games throughout his collegiate career. He now holds the Wisconsin record, passing Mike Kelley, Andy Kowske and Mark Vershaw who all had 128. All four players never missed a game during their four years of eligibility.
Wisconsin Sports Information Laura Behnke
