Dec. 2, 2009
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
| Postgame Notes
MADISON, Wis. -- Two years ago when Wisconsin lost at Duke in the 2007 Big Ten/ACC Challenge it seemed as though the Blue Devils never missed. In Wednesday's rematch at the Kohl Center, No. 6 Duke had to be wondering if the Badgers would miss. Wisconsin scored first and never trailed, beating the Blue Devils, 73-69, and sending the capacity crowd spilling onto the floor in celebration.
Thanks to Wisconsin's win and a late win from Ohio State, the Big Ten won its first Big Ten/ACC Challenge by a score of 6-5. The Badgers also improved their Challenge record to 5-6 and handed Duke its first loss in the Challenge.
| Wisconsin 73, No. 6 Duke 69 | 1st | 2nd | Final |
| Duke (6-1) | 32 | 37 | 69 |
| Wisconsin (5-1) | 38 | 35 | 73 |
| Statistical Leaders |
| Points: Trevon Hughes (UW) 26 | Kyle Singler (Duke) 28 |
| Rebounds: Ryan Evans (UW) 8 | Singler/Plumlee (Duke) 6 |
| Assists: Keaton Nankivil (UW) 5 | Jon Scheyer (Duke) 4 |
Trevon Hughes led his team to the signature win with a career-high 26 points, hitting numerous clutch treys throughout the game to recharge the Kohl Center atmosphere. Junior Jon Leuer finished second on the team in points with 17 while registering seven rebounds.
Wisconsin started the game by hitting 8 of its first 10 shots, including five straight to open the contest. Both Tim Jarmusz and Leuer drained 3-pointers in the early barrage as Wisconsin opened a 19-9 lead just five minutes in.
True to its pedigree, Duke wouldn't go quietly. The Badgers struggled to find an answer for Duke forward Kyle Singler in the early going. The all-America candidate made his first six shots, scoring 15 of Duke's first 22 points. He would finish with a game-high 28 points, but the Badgers would have the last laugh.
Wisconsin built a 38-32 halftime lead thanks to 53 percent shooting and five bombs from beyond the arc. Duke would close the gap, but three straight jumpers from Hughes helped turn a two-point game back into a 49-40 Wisconsin advantage and bring the capacity crowd to its feet with 13 minutes remaining.
Singler trimmed the Duke deficit to 53-52 with 10:30 left, but like UW did all night, Jordan Taylor had the answer with a driving lay-up. Moments later Leuer slammed in a Taylor miss to put UW back ahead by five. While shaving five minutes off the clock, Hughes ballooned the lead to a game-high 11 with back-to-back treys.
Duke went on a 5-0 run in a minute-and-a-half to cut the score to six, and then further reduced Wisconsin's lead to two with 1:46 remaining. However, Wisconsin knocked down eight of 10 free throws in the final two minutes to hold on for the win.
Wisconsin will face Grambling State Saturday at Noon at the Kohl Center.
