Marquette Golden Eagles vs Wisconsin Badgers Box Score on Dec 02, 2023

Max Klesmit scored 21 points, all in the first half, and Steven Crowl totaled 16 points as host Wisconsin staved off a rally by third-ranked Marquette for a 75-64 victory on Saturday in the annual nonconference matchup of in-state rivals.

Marquette, which trailed by 16 late in the first half, pulled within 52-51 on Sean Jones' short jumper with 12:26 left in the second half. Wisconsin pushed the lead back to 60-53 on Crowl's half hook from the lane.

AJ Storr converted a three-point play to put the Badgers up 65-55 with 5:37 left. Marquette got within 67-62, but the Golden Eagles made just one of their final eight shots.

Storr finished with 13 points and Tyler Wahl added 10 for Wisconsin (6-2), which won its fifth straight despite going 0-for-7 from 3-point range in the second half. Crowl also had eight rebounds to help the Badgers to a 38-23 advantage on the boards.

Kam Jones had 19 points and Tyler Kolek added 11 for Marquette (6-2).

Chucky Hepburn hit two free throws to put Wisconsin up 46-30 with 14 seconds left in the first half. Jones' deep 3-pointer from out top made it 46-33 at the half.

Marquette scored nine consecutive points to open the second half, pulling within 46-42 as Wisconsin missed its first three shots after the break and committed three turnovers.

Klesmit, whose season high was 14 points in the 105-76 season-opening win over Arkansas State, had all 21 of his points in the first half to pace Wisconsin to a 46-33 halftime lead.

Klesmit had 15 of Wisconsin's first 27 points. His 3-pointer from the left top put the Badgers up 27-16 with just over eight minutes left in the half.

Klesmit's 3-pointer from the left corner pushed the lead to 36-23 with 3:27 remaining.

The Badgers hit 17 of 19 free throws in the first half, along with a 22-10 advantage on the boards and 12-2 edge in second-chance points.

The I-94 rivalry began in 1917 and has been played every season but one since 1958-59. The Badgers now lead the overall series 71-59.

--Field Level Media