Wisconsin men make it five in a row with 50-point second half

The Wisconsin men picked up their fifth consecutive victory, topping Minnesota, 80-59

Kamari McGee had a big game in his first start, helping Wisconsin top Minnesota Friday night. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Three players reached double figures as the Wisconsin men won for the fifth consecutive time Friday night, topping Minnesota, 80-59.

The Badgers (13-3, 3-2) scored 50 points in the second half after taking a 30-29 lead at the break. 

Another #BorderBattle dub pic.twitter.com/KnmS8OApR4

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) January 11, 2025

Steven Crowl had 18 points, John Tonje added 16 and Kamari McGee finished with 15. McGee also had three steals to go along with his three made 3-pointers. 

The Gophers (8-8, 0-5) took a one-point advantage moments into the second half, but a Nolan Winter triple kick-started a 13-2 run for Wisconsin that ultimately led to a 10-point lead after made 3-pointers by both John Blackwell and Crowl.

Along with making 8 of 15 from deep over the final 20 minutes, the Badgers shot 58 percent after the break. They have now won eight straight vs. Minnesota and are 17-2 in the last 19 meetings between the two teams.

Kamari McGee Appreciation 🤩

In his first start with Wisconsin, Kamari has 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and is 3-for-4 on 3-point attempts!

WIS 77, MIN 47 | 3:30 2H pic.twitter.com/bKd5ezXLIX

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) January 11, 2025

This marks the first time that the Gophers are 0-5 to begin Big Ten Conference play since starting the 2015-16 season off 0-13. 

Tonje and Winter both had six rebounds with Crowl adding five boards. Blackwell had four rebounds, two steals and two assists while Markus Iver scored six on two made 3-pointers off the bench. 

Wisconsin looks to remain perfect in 2025 when they host Ohio State on Tuesday night.