Wisconsin basketball fell to 8-2 on the season with an 88-74 loss to rival Marquette on Saturday.
The game was a tale of two halves. The Badgers led 39-37 at the break, driven by hot shooting from guard Max Klesmit and wing John Tonje. That shooting was enough to overcome eight first-half turnovers and general offensive sloppiness.
But just as occurred during Wisconsin’s recent home loss to Michigan, the script flipped in the second frame. The Badgers’ turnovers became costly. Marquette forced nine second-half turnovers, numerous leading to points. The team built a lead fresh out of the locker room. Every time Wisconsin made a step to trim the lead, Marquette answered with a big basket.
Kam Jones led the way for the Golden Eagles with 32 points, six assists, four steals and two rebounds on 12-of-21 shooting and 3-of-7 from three. Starters David Joplin, Chase Ross and Stevie Mitchell all added double-figure outputs as the team combined to shoot a whopping 50% from the field.
Final: Marquette 88, Wisconsin 74
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) December 7, 2024
The turnover discrepancy mostly decided the game. Wisconsin handed 16 possessions away, leading to 16 Marquette points. That while the Badgers forced just five turnovers, scoring seven points off those opportunities.
Max Klesmit led Wisconsin with 22 points on 6-of-11 from three in a resurgent shooting effort. Otherwise, most everyone else struggled both shooting and taking care of the basketball.
The Badgers are back on the court on Tuesday on the road against No. 19 Illinois (6-2, 0-1 Big Ten). Greg Gard’s team needs a win in that contest to avoid dropping three consecutive games after its 8-0 start.
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