Wisconsin Badgers thump Iowa Hawkeyes, 87-78

Hawkeyes never closer than 9 points in the second half

Jan. 6, 2022 10:09 pm, Updated: Jan. 7, 2022 4:29 pm

Wisconsin's Johnny Davis, second from right, grabs a defensive rebound against Iowa's Kris Murray (24) and Patrick McCaffery, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

MADISON, Wis. — Johnny Davis scored 26 points to lead Wisconsin to an 87-78 men’s basketball win over Iowa Thursday night at Kohl Center.

The sophomore guard had 19 points in the first half in helping his team to a 45-32 lead. He didn’t score in the first 8:25 of the second half, but his team’s lead was never less than 13 points in that time.

Davis scored 37 points Monday in Wisconsin’s 74-69 upset win at Purdue.

Iowa (11-4 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) never got closer than 12 points in the second half despite Davis going scoreless in the half’s first 8:25. All five Badger starters scored at least 11 points. Fifth-year senior Brad Davison had 18 points.

Sophomore forward Keegan Murray scored 27 for Iowa. Kris Murray added 12.

The Hawkeyes were out-rebounded, 43-26. Wisconsin had 15 offensive rebounds to Iowa’s six.

Wisconsin (12-2, 3-1) used a 12-0 run to open a 31-19 first-half lead. The Hawkeyes scored the next eight points, but the Badgers finished the half with a 13-3 run for a 45-32 lead, their largest of the half.

Davison was fouled in the act of shooting a 3-pointer by Patrick McCaffery with 8.2 seconds left, a call that drew the wrath of Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery. Davison made all three foul shots.