What were the key takeaways from the Badgers loss on Tuesday?
The Wisconsin Badgers seven-game winning streak came to a halt in Pauley Pavilion as the UCLA Bruins rode a strong second half to win 85-83.
The Bruins’ 7’ 3” Spanish center, Aday Mara, was the MVP of the game with a career-high 22 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting night. UCLA guard Sebastian Mack was also spectacular, with 19 points off the bench and hitting crucial shots to preserve a Bruin victory.
When the Badgers reflect on this game, it will be about missed opportunities. Wisconsin seemed to weather the Bruins’ strong start to the game, but the Badgers held a five-point lead going into halftime.
Unfortunately, instead of capitalizing on the lead, Wisconsin went on a cold spell to start the second half, and UCLA took control of the game. When the Badgers needed a stop, they either gave up a crucial bucket or committed a shooting foul.
This game was a tough loss on the road, but it is not the end of the world. Winning any Big Ten road game is a challenge, especially against one of the best defenses in the conference. Seeing the offense shoot 51 percent from the field against UCLA is encouraging, but the Badgers’ defense took a step back.
The good news is that the Badgers get the rest of the week off before taking on old friend Connor Essegian and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Despite the loss, there were positives to take away. Here are two Badger standouts from the loss at Iowa.
John Tonje
After experiencing his first game with zero points in a Badger uniform, Tonje came out with a vengeance in the first half. Tonje finished a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the three-point arc, and one missed free throw was the only blemish of a near-perfect first half.
In the end, Tonje finished with 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting with six three-pointers and tied Steven Crowl with five rebounds.
John Blackwell
Right behind Tonje were Blackwell’s 23 points in the game. When the Bruins looked to seal the game, Blackwell made clutch free throws and had a big three-point basket to cut UCLA’s lead to 81-80 with one minute left in the game.