Box Score INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A dominant defensive first half helped top-seeded Baylor score a 76-63 win over No. 9 seed Wisconsin on Sunday in a second-round NCAA Tournament clash at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Badgers (18-13) showed fight after being backed into an 18-point corner, rallying to within seven midway through the second half behind D'Mitrik Trice (12 points). UW also got double-figure scoring from seniors Nate Reuvers (11) and Micah Potter (10) and freshman Jonathan Davis.

But the Bears answered the run with a dash of more D to reach the Sweet 16. They'll get Villanova or North Texas next.

The knock on Baylor entering the NCAA Tournament was that the Bears weren't quite as good coming off their second COVID-19 pause as they while were winning the first 18 games of the season.

Baylor hit 11 3-pointers in a 79-55 win over Hartford in the opening round, but a short turnaround to prepare for Wisconsin's grinding style is never easy.

But Baylor was at its chest-to-chest best on defense, limiting Wisconsin's open looks and jumping into passing lanes to create turnovers. Those led to easy transition baskets, like the alley-oop from MaCio Teague to Mark Vital that had the basket still wobbling as the Badgers set up on offense at the other end.

In the half court, Baylor repeatedly got into the lane, setting up a series of lobs and short-range floaters. When Wisconsin packed it in, the Bears went to the 3, the last by Adam Flagler at the buzzer to put Baylor up 42-29.