by MILWAUKEE (AP) – Josh Gasser scored 12 points on four 3-pointers, 7-footer Frank Kaminsky added 15 points and 10 rebounds and No. 2 Wisconsin managed a 49-38 win Saturday over Marquette.
The Badgers (8-1) shot 32 percent while contending with a 2-3 zone defense by the undersized Golden Eagles, who don’t have a starter taller than 6-foot-7.
Indian Country had two players in this game, which is a rare occasion at the Division I level, Bronson Koenig (H0-Chunk Nation) for the Badgers and Sandy Cohen III (Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin) for the Golden Eagles, each had 5 points for their teams. Each players are from the state of Wisconsin as well, with Koening from Lacrosse and Cohen from Oneida.
Wisconsin looked sloppy at times in the second half, and Marquette (4-4) chipped away at a 10-point halftime deficit. Two foul shots by Sandy Cohen III with 8:57 left cut the lead to 35-33 to get upset-minded fans cheering at the Bradley Center.
Gasser steadied Wisconsin with a 3 on the next trip down the floor, and the Badgers fended off Marquette for their second straight victory in the in-state rivalry.
The Golden Eagles went 0 of 6 from the field with two turnovers in the next 6-plus minutes after Cohen’s foul shots before Matt Carlino hit a 3. He followed with two foul shots to draw within 44-38 with 2:05 left.
But it was too much to overcome against the bigger Badgers.
Carlino finished with 18 points for Marquette, which hung around despite shooting 28 percent. The Golden Eagles were outrebounded 41-28, including 14-5 on the offensive end.
Yet Wisconsin looked out of sorts at times with the ball in the second half, settling for outside shots. The Badgers had built a steady advantage with 6-foot-8 Nigel Hayes working effectively in the high post in the first half.
Hayes finished with five points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Photo by Tia King (All Rights Reserved)
