SAN DIEGO — California dreaming on a winter’s day turned into a nightmare for Wisconsin after they fell to TCU, 74-63, Friday in the final of the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego.
The Horned Frogs, who opened the season with an embarrassing loss to New Orleans and fell to Michigan two weeks ago, appear to be right back on track after knocking off No. 10 Florida and Wisconsin in consecutive games.
While Thursday’s game required TCU to make a second-half comeback, Friday’s contest needed no such heroics. The Horned Frogs led 41-37 at halftime despite an impressive 21 points from Wisconsin’s John Blackwell in the opening frame.
Blackwell ended the game with 30 points and 6 rebounds, and Nick Boyd added 15 points of his own, but they saw almost no help from their supporting cast.
The Badgers as a team shot 34% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. While they forced 13 turnovers, they scored just 6 points off of those extra chances.
TCU, meanwhile, shot 47% from the field and 57% from three-point range. They scored 21 points off of 17 turnovers and won the rebound battle, 37-35.
The Horned Frogs only got 7 points from their bench, but you don’t need much more than that when every member of your starting five scores in double figures.
The loss sends Wisconsin’s record to 5-2.
After a week on the road, the Badgers will now get to return to the friendly confines of the Kohl Center for their next matchup. They’ll take on Northwestern on Wednesday at 8 p.m. to open Big Ten play.
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