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Wisconsin downs Michigan in Big Ten quarterfinals

Mar 15, 2013 - 10:13 PM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Traevon Jackson led a balanced Wisconsin attack with 16 points, as the 22nd-ranked Badgers knocked off No. 6 Michigan, 68-59, in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday at United Center.

Ben Brust followed with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Ryan Evans added 12 points, six boards and six assists for the Badgers (22-10), who snuck past the Wolverines in overtime in their only meeting this season on Feb. 9.

"You got to come focused, whether it's practice or the game," Evans said of playing in the Big Ten. "That's going to get you the win at the end of the day and that's why we have been able to be consistent until this point."

A date with the top-seeded Hoosiers awaits the Badgers in the semifinals, although Wisconsin did upend then-No. 2 Indiana in Wisconsin on Jan. 15.

Trey Burke poured in a game-high 19 points and handed out seven assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 14 points and nine boards for the Wolverines (26-7), who will head into the NCAA Tournament with losses in two of their last three games.

"We can't continue to make the same mistakes, because sooner or later we'll be done," Burke remarked. "So hopefully we'll learn from this loss and get better."

Michigan jumped out to a 16-6 advantage just under 13 minutes in, but the Wolverines managed just two field goals over the final 7:10 of the half, allowing the Badgers, who went just 5-for-29 from the field in the first half, to pull within 20-17 at the break.

A pair of free throws from Hardaway had the lead at 24-19 early in the second before Brust buried a 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 sprint that Frank Kaminsky capped with a triple of his own to give the Badgers a five-point edge.

Hardaway knocked down a triple near the midpoint of the half to bring the Wolverines within three, but after an exchange of buckets, Jackson hit a jumper to send the Badgers on a 7-0 sprint that Brust capped with a trey to give Wisconsin a 56-45 cushion with just over six minutes to play.

Michigan wouldn't go quietly, as the Wolverines came roaring back with a 9-0 spurt that Burke capped with a sensational reverse layup to bring his team within 56-54 with 3:35 left.

Michigan, though, would get no closer, as Kaminsky quelled the run with a tough midrange jumper that sent the Badgers on a 10-2 surge to push the margin to 66-56 with 29 seconds left.

Burke buried a triple with 20 seconds left to give Michigan one last glimmer of hope, but Jackson knocked down a pair of free throws at the other end to seal the outcome.

Game Notes

Wisconsin finished 38.6 percent (22-for-57) from the floor overall ... Michigan went 0-for-5 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 3- for-13 overall ... Kaminsky finished with eight points for Wisconsin.