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Wisconsin slays SIU-Edwardsville

Nov 19, 2008 - 6:03 AM MADISON, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Twenty-second ranked Wisconsin surged to an 88-58 victory over SIU-Edwardsville on Tuesday.

Jon Leuer came off the bench to score 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting for the Badgers (2-0). Marcus Landry added 15 as Wisconsin grabbed a 40-21 lead at the half and coasted home. Landry added a career-high five blocked shots, the fourth time in his career he has had at least four blocks in a game, and three steals.

"Defensively, we were in good position,'' Badger coach Bo Ryan said. "I liked the way we ran the offense. We got some good inside looks and some good outside looks."

Wisconsin had the hot hand, connecting on 35-of-59 from the field (59 percent) and 8-of-16 from behind the arc.

"It is easy to play when I have teammates like I do," Leuer said.

On Friday, the Badgers head to St. Thomas Virgin Islands to face Iona in the first round of the Paradise Jam Tournament .

"You don't have to take a lot when you go down there," Ryan joked when asked if he had packed for the trip.

The Cougars, who are in their first year in Division I, were paced by Barry Wellington with 15 points.

Aaron Garriott had 11 points and Nikola Bundalo added 10 for the Cougars, who were outrebounded, 31-21.

SIU-Edwardsville was 21-of-54 from the field (39 percent) and 8-of-16 from 3-point range. Most of the long-range baskets came long after the game had been decided.

"They hit their threes at the end when the outcome was decided," Ryan said. "It would have been different had they been hitting them earlier."

SIU-Edwardsville (1-3) is in the beginning of a five-year transition to Division I. It will not be eligible for postseason tournaments or able to join a conference during this period.