Tonje spurs record-tying 3-point flurry as No. 18 Wisconsin beats UCLA 86-70 in Big Ten Tournament

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Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) reacts to a basket against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic (10) protects the ball from Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Dylan Andrews (2) shoots on Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) drives between Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos (13) and John Blackwell (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos (13) reacts to a three-point basket against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA center Aday Mara (15) pulls down a rebound from Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA head coach Mick Cronin questions a call against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) drives on Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Sebastian Mack (12) shoots on Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA forward William Kyle III (24) drives on Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots on Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA guard Sebastian Mack (12) shoots on Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) reacts to a three-point basket against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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UCLA forward William Kyle III (24) grabs a rebound from Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) shoots a three-point basket against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee (4) drives around UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki (33), Nolan Winter (31) and Max Klesmit (11) react to a three-point basket against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) shoots on UCLA guard Sebastian Mack (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — John Tonje matched his career high with six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points, and No. 18 Wisconsin tied the Big Ten Tournament single-game record by making 19 3s in an 86-70 victory over fourth-seeded UCLA on Friday.

Tonje also had nine rebounds and four assists. He was 9 of 10 from the field and a perfect 6 for 6 on 3s as the Badgers (25-8) advanced to Saturday’s first semifinal game against No. 7 Michigan State.

John Blackwell added 18 points, five rebounds and four assists while making four 3s. Six Badgers made at least one shot from beyond the arc. Iowa also made 19 3s against Northwestern three years ago.

Sebastian Mack scored 18 points for the Bruins (22-10), who head into the NCAA Tournament with a 4-4 mark in their last eight games. Kobe Johnson had 14 points.

Wisconsin seized control by closing the first half with a flurry of 3s to build a 48-29 cushion.

Takeaways

Wisconsin: Coach Greg Gard’s revamped offense certainly has paid dividends this season, and it was never more evident than during Friday’s shooting display. Now comes the bigger test: winning a third game in three days, this time against a top-10 foe.

UCLA: It was a miserable first Big Ten tourney game for the Bruins. They shot 32.4% from the field, couldn’t defend the 3-point line and spent most of the day staring at double-digit deficits. Now UCLA will find out if this loss damages its NCAA seeding.

Key moment

Wisconsin turned a competitive game into a blowout by making five consecutive 3s during the decisive 15-7 run late in the first half.

Key stat

Wisconsin made 12 3-pointers in the first half while UCLA had only 11 total baskets.

Up next

The Badgers will try to even the season series against the Spartans after losing in East Lansing on March 2. The Bruins head home to get their NCAA Tournament draw.

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