No. 24 Wisconsin survives Illinois State after 2-week break

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Steven Crowl had 21 points and nine rebounds, and No. 24 Wisconsin struggled to put away Illinois State, winning 89-85 on Wednesday night in its first game after a two-week break because of COVID-19.

Johnny Davis, the Badgers' leading scorer, had 20 points on 6-of-23 shooting and 11 rebounds. Second-leading scorer Brad Davison was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting.

Tyler Wahl finished with 18 points while Chucky Hepburn had 13 for Wisconsin (10-2).

Illinois State (8-6) battled back from a 19-point deficit early in the second half and got within 81-80 on Antonio Reeves’ 3-pointer with 2 minutes left. After a Davison miss, Illinois State had a chance to take the lead, but Reeves’ floater was off the mark.

Reeves then committed his fifth foul on Wisconsin’s next possession, putting Davison on the line, where he hit both shots.

Reeves led the Redbirds with 23 points, while Sy Chatman had 22. Chatman also fouled out late in the game on a charge, and Wisconsin closed it out by going 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.

BIG PICTURE

Wisconsin hadn't played since squeaking past Nicholls State 71-68 on Dec. 15. Its scheduled game last week against George Mason was canceled because of COVID-19, and the last thing the Badgers wanted was a nearly three-week layoff before traveling to No. 3 Purdue to resume Big Ten play. They got a scare from Illinois State, but at least they got back on the court.

UP NEXT

Illinois State: At Valparaiso on Sunday.

Wisconsin: At Purdue on Monday.

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