Wisconsin rallies, upsets Kentucky

INDIANAPOLIS - Wisconsin advanced to its first NCAA title game since 1941 with a stunning 71-64 upset over previously unbeaten Kentucky last night in a national semifinal.

The Badgers (36-3) will play Duke (34-4) on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Top-ranked Kentucky (38-1) ended its season.

The game gained a measure of revenge for the Big Ten champion Badgers, who lost on a last-second shot to the Wildcats in last year's Final Four.

After falling behind by four points and 6 minutes, 34 seconds left, Wisconsin held Kentucky scoreless for 5:30. The Badgers then went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by junior forward Sam Dekker. Dekker drove to bring the Badgers within two, then after a Nigel Hayes bucket, Dekker put Wisconsin ahead 64-60 with a 3-pointer and a free throw. After a three-point play from Kentucky's Aaron Harrison trimmed Wisconsin's lead to one point, Frank Kaminsky and Bronson Koenig hit seven of right free throws to seal the victory.

Kaminsky led Wisconsin with 20 points.

Wisconsin opened the second half strong, connecting on six of its first seven shots. Kaminsky scored on a pair of drives, then Nigel Hayes followed with a 3-pointer. Two trips later, Kaminsky scored and was fouled. He converted the free throw and put the Badgers up two. Dekker scored and was fouled and completed a traditional three-point play. Bronson Koenig followed a 3-pointer to put the Badgers up 52-44.

Wisconsin took a 23-14 lead with 9:16 left after a three-point play from (Sam) Dekker. The lead was part of a 14-3 run where the Badgers scored on five consecutive possessions and six of seven. (Frank) Kaminsky and (Nigel) Hayes hit 3-pointers as part of the run.

Kentucky was slightly dazed but unscathed. The Wildcats scored on 10 of their final 12 first-half possessions to lead briefly before Wisconsin's Bronson Koenig buried a jumper at the buzzer to tie the game at 36-36.

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