University of Minnesota Athletics
Wisconsin Ends Gophers' Season In Big Ten Quarterfinals 66-52
3/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
A 12-3 Wisconsin run in the first half dissolved a 14-12 Minnesota lead and gave the Badgers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. A Devin Harris jumper at the end of the first half gave Wisconsin a 30-22 lead at the break.
Wisconsin forward Mike Wilkinson took over in the second half, scoring 14 points in the frame, including a jumper with 6:41 remaining to give the Badgers a 53-43 lead. Wilkinson also played tough defense on Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kris Humphries, limiting him to just 12 points on the night on 5-16 shooting. Minnesota never got any closer at the end of the game with the Badgers' lead swelling to as many as 17 points.
The Gophers did pull within six points at 44-38 on a Jeff Hagen</ a> jumper with 9:42 remaining but the Badgers ripped off four points to go back up 10. Aaron Robinson followed with a three for the Gophers to pull back within seven at 48-41 but could get no closer.
Humphries and Adam Boone led Minnesota with 12 points apiece while Michael Bauer had nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Hagen added eight points off the bench. Minnesota attempted just five free throws in the game (3-5) and shot 43 percent from the field. Wisconsin had 13 steals in the game and forced 19 Minnesota turnovers.
Wilkinson had a game-high 22 points on 8-14 shooting while Devin Harris added 21, also on 8-14 from the field.
Wisconsin won its first Big Ten Tournament game under Bo Ryan. They had bowed out in the quarterfinals each of the past three seasons. The Badgers will face Michigan State tomorrow in the Big Ten semifinals.
