MADISON, Wis. — Chucky Hepburn scored 17 points, while Connor Essegian added 15 points on five made 3-pointers, but Wisconsin suffered a 54-52 loss against Northwestern on Sunday night at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers (13-9, 5-7 Big Ten) scored seven consecutive points and took a 49-48 lead on a jumper by 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. Boo Buie then hit two free throws to put Northwestern back on top, 52-51 at :31.

Brooks 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.

UW trailed, 26-23, at halftime after shooting just 9-for-24 in the first half and finished the game 37.5 percent from the floor. The Wildcats shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the first frame.

Audige added 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Northwestern (16-7, 7-5 B1G). Barnhizer had eight points, seven rebounds and one big block.

Up Next, Wisconsin travels to face Penn State on the road Wednesday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.