MADISON, Wis. — When Wisconsin bolted to an early 20-point lead, Illinois State's basketball team appeared to be in for a long night.
Instead, it was the No. 24-ranked Badgers who were sweating in the final couple minutes Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.
ISU cut the deficit to one point in the last 90 seconds. Antonio Reeves had a good look at a 10-foot floater for the Redbirds to take the lead, but it didn't fall.
Reeves fouled out soon thereafter and so did Sy Chatman. ISU still battled, getting within two on Josiah Strong's long 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, before the Badgers held on for an 89-85 victory.