Wisconsin rides Jon Tonje’s 32 points to 77-74 win over Michigan State for spot in Big Ten Tournament final

INDIANAPOLIS — Jon Tonje scored 32 points to help No. 18 Wisconsin beat No. 7 Michigan State 77-74 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

John Blackwell added 14 points as the Badgers (26-8) won for the third time in four days. They will play No. 11 Maryland or No. 22 Michigan for the tournament title on Sunday.

Jase Richardson had 21 points for the Spartans (27-6). Jeremy Fears Jr. had 14 points and six assists, but he had the ball knocked away in the waning seconds as he tried to tie the score with a heave from near the midcourt logo.

Michigan State, the conference’s regular-season champs, had won eight in a row.

Wisconsin erased a 45-41 deficit with an 11-0 run in the second half. The Badgers were pushed to the very end, but they used four straight points to make it 72-67 with 1:10 to play.

After Tonje missed a 3-pointer with 34 seconds left, Blackwell tried to chase down the rebound, but his path was impeded by Jaden Akins, who was called for the foul. Blackwell made both free throws to give the Badgers a 74-70 lead with 31.4 seconds to go.


Big Ten Tournament

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Wednesday’s games

Thursday’s games

Friday’s quarterfinals

Saturday’s semifinals

  • (5) Wisconsin 77, (1) Michigan State 74
  • (2) Maryland vs. (3) Michigan, 2:30 p.m., CBS-2

Sunday’s final

  • (5) Wisconsin vs. Maryland/Michigan, 2:30 p.m., CBS-2

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