Wisconsin overwhelms Rutgers
MADISON, Wis. — Zak Showalter’s scrappy play can get overshadowed by the star power of No. 14 Wisconsin.
But Showalter might have just as important a role as Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig and Ethan Happ on a team with designs on another deep NCAA Tournament run, especially if a guard known for hustle and defensive intensity keeps scoring in double digits.
Hayes scored 20 points, Showalter added a season-high 18 and the Badgers used an active start on the defensive end to build an early lead and defeat Rutgers 72-52 on Tuesday night.
Mike Williams scored 18 points for Rutgers, which shot just 31 percent for the game.
“Defensively, any time you can hold a team … to 31 percent from the floor, that’s usually pretty effective,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said.
The Badgers (12-2) opened with a 16-4 run over the first 12 minutes to take control in both teams’ Big Ten opener. They set the tone early with in-your-face defense, forcing numerous runouts on the break.
“We certainly have got to play a lot better. Got off to a bad start, turned the ball over 12 times (in the first half) and we were helping them,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. “They don’t need any help.”
Showalter finished 6 of 10 from the field, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range.
Women
(2) NOTRE DAME 79, CHATTANOOGA 58: In Chattanooga, Tenn., Lindsay Allen recorded her first career triple-double (11 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists) to help the Irish (12-1) beat the Mocs (5-8) for their 15th consecutive road victory. (9) WASHINGTON 94, WASHINGTON STATE 63: In Seattle, Natalie Romeo made five 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 25 points, and the Huskies (13-1, 1-0 Pac-12) used a 26-0 run in the first half to race past the Cougars (5-7, 0-1). (22) OREGON STATE 73, ARK.-PINE BLUFF 40: In Corvallis, Ore., Sydney Wiese had 11 points, including two 3-pointers, and became the first player in Pac-12 history with 300 career made 3s as the Beavers (11-1) beat the Golden Lions (3-8).