Northwestern Wildcats @ Wisconsin Badgers
Northwestern sweeps Wisconsin for first time since '95-96
MADISON, Wis. -- — Boo Buie scored 13 points, Brooks Barnhizer had a clutch blocked shot in the final minute, and Northwestern defeated Wisconsin 54-52 on Sunday night.
The Wildcats swept the season series with Wisconsin for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
Wisconsin scored seven consecutive points and took a 49-48 lead on a jumper by Chucky Hepburn with 3:21 to go. Chase Audige put the Wildcats back on top 50-49 with 2:55 remaining and there would be only one more made basket the rest of the game. After a series of turnovers, missed jumpers and missed free throws, Hepburn hit a jumper to give the Badgers a 51-50 lead with 45 seconds remaining. Buie then hit two free throws to put Northwestern back on top, 52-51 at :31.
Barnhizer blocked a layup attempt by Hepburn with 20 seconds left and the Wildcats held on to win despite a missed 1-and-1 opportunity by Tydus Verhoeven. Hepburn's missed jumper with six seconds left was Wisconsin's final chance to take the lead.
Hepburn scored 17 points for Wisconsin (13-9, 5-7 Big Ten) and Connor Essegian added 15 points, all on 5-of-11 3-point shooting.
Audige added 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Northwestern (16-7, 7-5). Barnhizer had eight points, seven rebounds and one big block.
Northwestern led 20-13 after Nick Martinelli hit a jumper with 8:39 left in the first half. Wisconsin closed to within 22-21 with an 8-2 run highlighted by Essegian's 3-pointer. The Wildcats went on to lead 26-23 at the half.
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Game Information
Madison, WI

Referee:Doug Simmons
Referee:D.J. Carstensen
Referee:Brian Dorsey

2025-26 Standings
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 15-1 | - | 25-1 |
| Illinois | 13-3 | 2 | 22-5 |
| Nebraska | 11-4 | 3.5 | 22-4 |
| Purdue | 11-4 | 3.5 | 21-5 |
| Michigan State | 11-4 | 3.5 | 21-5 |
| Wisconsin | 10-5 | 4.5 | 18-8 |
| Iowa | 9-6 | 5.5 | 19-7 |
| Ohio State | 9-6 | 5.5 | 17-9 |
| UCLA | 9-6 | 5.5 | 17-9 |
| Indiana | 8-7 | 6.5 | 17-9 |
| USC | 7-8 | 7.5 | 18-8 |
| Washington | 5-10 | 9.5 | 13-13 |
| Minnesota | 5-10 | 9.5 | 12-14 |
| Rutgers | 4-11 | 10.5 | 11-15 |
| Maryland | 3-12 | 11.5 | 10-16 |
| Northwestern | 3-13 | 12 | 11-16 |
| Oregon | 2-13 | 12.5 | 9-17 |
| Penn State | 2-14 | 13 | 11-16 |
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