After a pair of thrilling overtime wins against Iowa and Michigan last week, the third time would not be a charm for the Wisconsin Badgers in Minnesota.
The Badgers managed just 6-points in the final 11-minutes of action last night and fell to the Gophers 58-53 in overtime.
Wisconsin’s Jared Berggren knows the Badgers had their chances and he’s hoping this one doesn’t catch up with them down the road.
AUDIO: Jared Berggren says this one could come back to haunt them :13
The Badgers have 6-games left in the Big Ten. Had they won last night’s game, their Big Ten title hopes were realistic. Now they’re 2-games back and their prospects aren’t nearly as good.
Wisconsin (17-8, 8-4 Big Ten) dropped into a three-way tie for third place. They trail conference co-leaders Indiana and Michigan State by 2-games. Michigan and Ohio State are both tied with the Badgers.
The Badgers still had a chance to win it in regulation. They had the ball with :17 left and a 49-47 lead. But on an inbound play, Mike Bruesewitz took several steps on the baseline, which is a violation. The ball went to the Gophers.
AUDIO: Mike Bruesewitz on his inbound turnover :08
Following the turnover, Minnesota’s Joe Coleman drove to the basket, drew a foul and then made both free throws to tie. The Badgers had a shot but Traevon Jackson missed a contested jumper and the game went to overtime. Jackson committed three turnovers and hit just 3 of 14 from the field, one of his worst games of the season.
The Badgers had also been living on borrowed time with Evans offensively. He killed them yesterday, hitting just 2 of 8 from the field and 2 of 8 from the free throw line.
AUDIO: Bo Ryan on Evans poor free throw shooting :08
Up next for the Badgers, the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Kohl Center on Sunday.