by MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nigel Hayes scored 21 points and Wisconsin hit a season-high 13 3-pointers to beat Ohio State 79-68 on Thursday night to extend its winning streak to five games.
Wisconsin (14-9, 6-4 Big Ten) took advantage of open looks on the perimeter but nearly squandered a 12-point lead midway through the second half.
The Badgers made things difficult for themselves by going just 10 of 17 from the foul line for the night. Ohio State (14-10, 6-5) drew within 62-59 with 7:04 left on Jae’Sean Tate’s layup.
Hayes, though, was clutch in the second half, when he scored 18 points.
On defense, he dropped back on his man to intercept a pass into the paint with 3:17 left.
Hayes followed with a dunk on the next possession, and Jordan Hill hit a 3 with the shot clock winding down for an eight-point lead with 1:39 left.
Wisconsin has clawed its way back into the middle of the conference pack after 1-4 start.
The Buckeyes lost their second straight game despite 27 points for JaQuan Lyle, who was 11 of 19 from the field. Kam Williams added 10 points, while Tate finished with nine.
Bronson Koenig (Ho-Chunk Nation) scored 13 points for Wisconsin and was 3 of 7 from behind the arc. The Badgers were 13 of 27 from 3-point range.
