March 1, 2000
Postgame Audio
? Coach O'Neill
? B. Johnson
? B. Deren
EVANSTON, Ill. - Wisconsin (15-12, 7-8 Big Ten) went on a 14-1 run to close the first half and that proved to be the difference, as the Badgers held on to defeat Northwestern (5-23, 0-15), 62-46, in men's basketball action Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Wisconsin jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead, but Northwestern came back to tie the game at 19 on a three-pointer from sophomore Steve Lepore (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Edward) with 4:47 left in the first stanza. However, Lepore's trey was the last field goal of the half for the 'Cats, as Mark Vershaw (game-high 23 points) hit a pair of free throws to start the decisive run for the Badgers.
Freshman Ben Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle) opened the second half with a jumper to pull NU to within 11 (33-22), but they would get no closer as Wisconsin continued its hot shooting, connecting on 54 percent from the floor for the game.
Johnson led the Wildcats with 13 points.