by MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men’s basketball team fell in its regular season and home opener to Western Illinois in a 69-67 final at the Kohl Center on Friday night.
Garret Covington hit a pair of free throws with 10.2 seconds remaining to give the Leathernecks (1-0) a late two-point lead. Bronson Koenig (Ho-Chunk Nation) had a chance at a game-tying jumper, but missed and time ran out on any comeback from the Badgers (0-1).
Nigel Hayes and Koenig scored 17 points each to lead the Badgers offensively, while J.C. Fuller had 20 points to pace Western Illinois.
Wisconsin has a quick turnaround and returns to action on Sunday hosting Siena at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Kohl Center in Madison.
