IU falls to Wisconsin, 69-60, despite early lead

MADISON, Wisc. - Coming off its first Big Ten win of the season, IU began its road matchup against No. 17 Wisconsin in dramatic fashion.

Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the stellar first half play couldn’t carry over into the final 20 minutes of their 69-60 loss to the Badgers. 

IU junior guard Verdell Jones said despite the close game, his team cannot accept moral victories.

“I never do and I never will,” Jones said.  “It was in our grasp and we just let it go.”
IU coach Tom Crean has spoken many times this season about needing his team to play consistent basketball for all 40 minutes. 

It did it against Michigan last week but failed to do so against opponents such as Minnesota, Northwestern and Kentucky.

Thursday was another case of the latter for the Hoosiers (10-9, 1-5).

“We knew we were going to have to play very well,” Crean said. “It was a very good Big Ten game, and they made some timely baskets, very timely.  They got to the foul line more, especially in the second half.”

IU sophomore guard Jordan Hulls opened the game on fire with 10 points — on four-of-five shooting — in the first five minutes. 

Jones and sophomore forward Christian Watford combined for 15 points and six rebounds in the first half.

The Hoosiers also displayed the hard-nosed defensive approach that was effective against the Wolverines last Saturday.

Paced by Hulls, IU went into halftime with a 34-30 lead having shot 60.9 percent from
the field. 

“I’m always trying to be more aggressive. It opens up things for the other players on the team,” Hulls said.  “If it’s open, I’m going to try to shoot it. I was able to get some drives in tonight, but our offense was what opened the looks for me.”

But that firepower created in the first half could not be sustained for the remainder of the game. 

Hulls scored six more points early in the final period but did not score after the 11:32 mark. 

The Badgers also picked it up on the offensive end. 
 
With about nine minutes remaining and Wisconsin ahead 52-50, the Badgers went on a game-changing 7-2 run to expand a lead that would not be relinquished.

The two catalysts for Wisconsin were its leaders from the get-go: forward Jon Leuer and guard Jordan Taylor.

Both players displayed their all-around game against the Hoosiers, finishing with 20 and 28 points, respectively. 

Jones said Leuer and Taylor proved why they are All-Big Ten caliber players.

“Leuer got some big and ones. Jordan Taylor got hot in the first half and got to the foul line in the second half,” Jones said.  “He’s a great player — a strong player, and we’re going to have to play a little bit better next time against them.”