Dosunmu comes through late, lifts Illinois past Wisconsin

[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.

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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