March 05, 2014
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Frank Kaminsky scored 22 points, Traevon Jackson added 14 and No. 9 Wisconsin finished off its home schedule with a 76-70 victory over Purdue on Wednesday night.
Kaminsky, a 7-footer who can shoot from the perimeter, went 4 of 5 from 3-point range for the Badgers (25-5, 12-5 Big Ten), who won their eighth straight thanks in large part to shooting 48 percent from the field in the first half.
"They've got five guys out there who can handle, pass it and shoot it, and they really put you in a bind," Boilermakers coach Matt Painter said.Ronnie Johnson had 15 points for the Boilermakers (15-15, 5-12).
Wisconsin attacked the lane early before starting to hit from the perimeter. The Badgers had a 16-point lead whittled to seven with 5 minutes left but were otherwise in firm control.
Johnson was 7 of 17 from the field for Purdue, while Terone Johnson finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting. A.J. Hammons had 11 points and 11 rebounds.Not enough production to overcome the Badgers, even with Wisconsin's own issues of late during the winning streak with keeping opponents in games.
The pace got choppy in the second half with several scrambles for loose balls and officials calling a combined 22 fouls. After starting 6 of 10 from the field, Wisconsin went 17 of 42 (40 percent) the rest of the way.
The Boilermakers did have a few decent looks that didn't fall. They went 3 of 14 from 3-point range.
"We didn't probe the defense and show enough patience," Painter said. "We got the ball where we needed it to be, just didn't finish at the rims a couple times."
Hammons gave Purdue hope going into the locker room at halftime after converting an offensive rebound just before the buzzer to get within 35-24.
Then Terone Johnson's layup about 30 seconds into the second half got Purdue within 38-30.
Kaminsky went 3 of 4 in the second half from 3-point range. It was his best shooting game from behind the arc since making six 3s on Nov. 19 against North Dakota.