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Dec. 31, 2014
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Frank Kaminsky had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Nigel Hayes scored 21 points and No. 4 Wisconsin shot a blistering 63 percent from the field to beat Penn State 89-72 on Wednesday.
The Badgers (13-1) won their sixth straight with Kaminsky leading a balanced attack. The preseason All-American had secured his sixth double-double of the season by midway through the second half with Wisconsin comfortably ahead by double digits.
D.J. Newbill scored 29 points for Penn State (12-2), which had its 10-game winning streak snapped. The Big Ten's leading scorer was 5-of-11 shooting in the second half after going 6 of 7 in the first.
Wisconsin's athletic frontcourt asserted control after halftime, with Kaminsky and Hayes getting to the basket at will.
Forward Sam Dekker scored 17 after shooting 7 of 10 from the field.
The Nittany Lions withered on both ends of the court to start the second half, when Wisconsin went on an 8-2 run to take a 51-38 lead with 17:03 left on Traevon Jackson's 3-pointer.
It was in sharp contrast to the opening 20 minutes, when Penn State stayed step-for-step for much of the time with Wisconsin.
The Badgers looked a little lethargic early, just like the crowd at the Kohl Center for a game that started at noon on New Year's Eve. Newbill spearheaded the Nittany Lions early with an array of drives and off-balance jumpers.
A timeout with about 8 minutes to go in the half seemed to get Wisconsin going after falling behind by three.
Dekker's 3 from the right wing with about 5 minutes in the half gave the Badgers the lead for good at 32-30. Dekker waved his arms frantically as he ran down the floor on defense, imploring the hometown fans to get loud.
Hayes followed on the next possession with a spin move under the basket that had the crowd roaring before Penn State called timeout.
The Nittany Lions shot 44 in the second half after hitting 64 percent in the first.