Wisconsin Basketball Wins on 'Carter Gilmore Day'

After the first half, NU held a slim 31-25 lead over UW. After a difficult first half for Nolan Winter, as the Wildcats' defense brought an imposing double team on the sophomore, the Badgers big man hit a timely three-pointer to put Wisconsin within a possession as Northwestern continued to lead 37-34. However, a pair of second-chance buckets by NU made it seem like UW's flirtation with taking the lead would be short-lived. 

Just as quickly as it seemed Northwestern would pull away with the victory, an unlikely Badger willed his team back within striking distance. With 13:53 remaining in regulation, Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli connected on a hook shot jumper to put his team up 46-38. That's when madness ensued. 

Within 56 seconds, Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore cut an 8-point lead to two. Back-to-back threes, the first an attempt from three feet behind the line, tied the forward's career-high in made threes. 

The former walk-on hit another layup before finishing a highlight bucket in transition for a new career-high in scoring. Max Klesmit corralled a defensive rebound before quickly sending the ball upcourt to a streaking John Tonje. Although Tonje failed to finish at the rim, Gilmore followed up with an offensive rebound and tip-in layup to put Wisconsin basketball up 54-52 - a lead the Badgers never surrendered. 

"It makes all the hard work and all the haters and all those comments worth it." Gilmore said after the game. "I'm a true Wisconsin Badger and all I want to do is make all the fans happy. So, I was lucky and glad I got to do that today."

In total, Gilmore managed an efficient 15 points on 5-7 shooting, including making 3-5 attempts from deep and both his free throws. The product of Arrowhead High School surpassed his career-high 8 points and tied his previous career-high seven rebounds. 

"It was everything and then some." Max Klesmit, Gilmore's roommate, said about watching the fifth-year senior shine. "His ability to go after loose balls, rebounds, he understands what it takes to win and how he impacts that. He does that at a high level for us."

John Tonje Leads Wisconsin Basketball in Scoring at Northwestern Wildcats

Tonje led Wisconsin in scoring on Saturday afternoon. After starting 0-4 from the field, the graduate student broke out to keep Wisconsin basketball in contention.

By connecting on five consecutive field goals (including four shots from beyond the arc) and a pair of technical free throws, he recorded 16-straight points for UW in the waning minutes of the first half. 

"In the first half, he was one of the only guys who could get the ball in the basket," Gilmore said of Tonje's effort. "There was a couple of iso buckets down here in the second half that if you get the ball to John Tonje, we like our chances."

The transfer by way of Colorado State and Missouri finished with 27 points, two rebounds, and three assists. It was the eighth time 20-plus point performance by Tonje this season and his fourth in Big Ten play. 

"Man, he's helped us out a lot this year." Klesmit said of Tonje after the game. "Just talk about a guy who has just poured everything into his teammates and his team his first year here. [He's] Very mature, very knowledgable, very hardworking. [I'm] Super grateful I ran into John Tonje in my life."

Up Next for Wisconsin Basketball

The Badgers improved to 17-5 on the season with the 75-69 victory over Northwestern. Wisconsin currently sits in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten standings. The Badgers, Maryland Terrapins, and UCLA Bruins have all amassed 7-4 conference records. However, UW has lost on the road to both Maryland and UCLA. 

The Badgers welcome the Indiana Hoosiers to the Kohl Center on Tuesday. The Hoosiers have lost five of their last six games, are 5-6 in Big Ten play, and have a 14-8 overall record. Indiana has never won inside the Kohl Center. 

Tip is scheduled for 8:00 PM central. You can watch the game streaming on Peacock.