Bronson Koenig, Wisconsin hands #4 Michigan State second straight loss

Wisconsin 77 Michigan State 76 F

Badgers: Bronson Koenig 27 points

Nigel Hayes 25 points, 7 rebounds

Spartans: Denzel Valentine 23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist

Matt Costello 16 points, 13 rebounds

Wisonson converted 28 Michigan State fouls into 36 free throw attempts, 20 more than the Spartans had taken for the game. The Badgers raced to a 41-36 halftime advantage.

The Spartans stormed back as this was a back and forth battle. The second half saw several lead changes and ties, but a Nigel Hayes jumper broke a 56 all tie to put the Badgers up two with 9:55 remaining. The Badgers seemed to have control of the game until a Bryn Forbes three would give the Spartans the lead again at 70-68. But the Badgers' Ethan Happ came up big in the final 9 seconds of gametime converting on a layup that would put Wisconsin up by one. Clinging to a one point lead, the Badgers needed a stop. Spartans Denzel Valentine came down the next possesion and missed what would have been a game winning three.

Michigan State suffered their second straight loss bringing them to 3-3 in conference play. Wisconsin picked up their second conference win. Bronson Koenig led the way with 27 points, Hayes contributed 25 points to go along with seven rebounds, and Happ chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds. Valentine paced the Spartans wtih a 23 point, seven rebound, five assist performance. Matt Costello chipped in a double double of 16 points, 13 rebounds while Forbes and Erin Harris chipped in 12 and 14 points respectively for the Spartans in the loss.

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