Dosunmu comes through late, lifts Illinois past Wisconsin

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[January 09, 2020]  Sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu scored a team-high 18 points, including a crucial layup and 3-pointer in the final 90 seconds, and visiting Illinois rallied for a 71-70 win over Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup Wednesday night in Madison, Wis.

Kofi Cockburn added 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting for Illinois (11-5, 3-2), which earned its second straight conference victory. The Fighting Illini snapped a record 15-game losing streak against Wisconsin and notched their first win over the Badgers since Jan. 2, 2011.

Kobe King scored a game-high 21 points on 10-for-13 shooting to lead Wisconsin (9-6, 2-2). Teammate Micah Potter finished with 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Wisconsin led for much of the second half before Illinois' Alan Griffin hit a 3-pointer to even the score at 63-63 with 3:22 remaining. After Nate Reuvers made a jump shot for Wisconsin on the next possession, Trent Frazier knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Fighting Illini on top 66-65 with 1:54 left.

Brad Davison made two free throws to give Wisconsin a 67-66 lead with 1:32 remaining.

That is when Dosunmu took over for the Fighting Illini. The NBA prospect made a layup with 1:25 to go, followed by a 3-pointer with 46 seconds left, to give Illinois a 71-67 lead that it would not relinquish.

King made a 3-pointer to pull Wisconsin within a point, but D'Mitrik Trice missed a potential go-ahead shot in the final seconds to seal the outcome.

Wisconsin led 34-28 at the half.

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Wisconsin Badgers guard D'Mitrik Trice (0) passes the ball as Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) looks on during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

The Badgers shot 50 percent (12 of 24) and made all eight of their free-throw attempts before the break. Illinois did not fare as well, shooting 38.7 percent (12 of 31) and making only 2 of 4 free throws.

Wisconsin opened the game on a 6-2 run behind a layup by Aleem Ford and back-to-back buckets by King. Illinois battled back for a competitive first half, tying the score at 21-all before the Badgers went on a 9-2 run to climb back on top before intermission.

--Field Level Media

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