Nov. 18, 2009
Box Score | Box Score 
| Quotes
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin (2-0) put the clamps on Summit League preseason favorite Oakland Wednesday night, leaning on its defense to notch a 58-42 win at the Kohl Center.
| Wisconsin 58, Oakland 42 | 1st | 2nd | Final |
| Oakland (0-2, 0-0 Summit League) | 23 | 19 | 42 |
| Wisconsin (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) | 34 | 24 | 58 |
| Statistical Leaders |
| Points: Trevon Hughes (UW) 15 | Johnathon Jones (OU) 15 |
| Rebounds: Keaton Nankivil (UW) 9 | Keith Benson (OU) 9 |
| Assists: Trevon Hughes (UW) 4 | Johnathon Jones (OU) 5 |
The Badgers watched Oakland (0-2) get out to an 8-5 lead, but capitalized on the Grizzlies’ early foul trouble to regain the momentum. Oakland’s 6-foot-11 center, Keith Benson, and 6-foot-9 forward, Will Hudson, each picked up their second foul just eight minutes into the game. Wisconsin was clinging to a mere 9-8 lead at that stage, but quickly found its rhythm, scoring its next 19 points in the paint or at the free- throw line.
The Badgers’ widened a 14-12 lead to 30-14 with a 16-2 run over a 10-minute span in the first half, creating a comfortable cushion that would only increase throughout the remainder of the game.
Benson picked up his third personal foul late in the first half and the Badgers would outscore the Grizzlies, 22-9, with him on the bench that half. Jon Leuer (12 points) and Trevon Hughes were the main beneficiaries of Oakland’s absences inside as Leuer posted eight points and Hughes notched 13 before intermission.
UW would stretch its 34-23 halftime lead to 53-29 with 8:38 left to play and coast to victory from there.
Oakland had no answer for Hughes’ penetration as the senior guard matched the game-high of 15 points and recorded a career-high seven rebounds in 35 minutes of action. Ryan Evans also notched seven rebounds, blowing his former career-high of three out of the water.
UW’s defense held Oakland in check all night, forcing the Grizzlies to shoot a mere 27.3 percent from the field and 15.8 percent from three-point range.
The Badgers registered eight blocks and nine steals to force 16 Oakland turnovers. Keaton Nankivil recorded a career-high four blocks and tied for the game-high with nine rebounds to the lead the Wisconsin defense. Nankivil also registered two highlight reel dunks—one midway through the first half on a drop from Jason Bohannon and another with eight minutes remaining on the put-back of a missed layup.
The Badgers will jet off to beautiful Hawaii for the EA Sports Maui Invitational and their road debut on Nov. 23. Wisconsin will face Arizona in the first game of the tournament at 11 p.m. CT. Check back to UWBadgers.com for results and updated information on the Badgers in Hawaii.
