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Leuer leads Wisconsin over Northwestern

Jan 24, 2011 - 1:48 AM Evanston, IL (Sports Network) - Josh Gasser recorded a triple-double while Jon Leuer led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points, leading No. 18 Wisconsin to a 78-46 rout of Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Gasser, a freshman guard, finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first triple-double with Wisconsin.

Keaton Nankivil added 16 points for the Badgers (15-4, 5-2 Big Ten), who have won three in a row since losing to Michigan State in overtime on January 11.

Wisconsin made 12 three-pointers, shot 55 percent overall, and held a 32-18 rebounding advantage.

"Northwestern is a very good team. For our guys to come in and execute like they did, our guys deserve a lot of credit," said Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

"I thought our guys took good shots, I thought we were patient enough and I thought, defensively, we worked pretty hard at trying to handle what they do, because we know what they can do. They've had nights shooting like this, too."

John Shurna and Luka Mirkovic both scored 13 points for Northwestern (13-6, 3-5), which had won its last two.

The game was close for the first seven-plus minutes, and Shurna's jumper had the Wildcats within 17-16 with 12:31 left in the opening half.

But Jordan Taylor followed with a basket and three-pointer, and Mike Bruesewitz added two buckets to make it a 26-16 game. The Badgers solidified their double-digit lead when Taylor drilled another trey to end a six-point burst, giving Wisconsin a 40-24 advantage.

The Badgers rolled into halftime ahead 45-26, having shot 62 percent in the period. Wisconsin then limited Northwestern to seven field goals in the second half and cruised to the victory.

"There were little sparks here and there," said Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody, "but for the most part it wasn't there."

Game Notes

Taylor finished with 14 points for Wisconsin...The Badgers had 22 assists and three turnovers...Wisconsin plays at Penn State on Saturday...Northwestern visits Minnesota on Wednesday.