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John Tonje (#9) had a huge game, finishing with a game-high 32 points. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Wisconsin ended Michigan State's Big Ten Tournament a little early Saturday, beating the No. 1 seed 77-74 in a tight semifinal matchup. The Badgers came through with some clutch defense in the final seconds to hold the three-point lead and keep the Spartans from tying things up.
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With seconds remaining, a pair of missed free throws from Badgers guard John Tonje put Michigan State in position to send the game into overtime with a 3-pointer. But Tonje made up for his error, getting a clean touch on the ball just before Jeremy Fears Jr. went for the game-tying heave.
After the buzzer, multiple Spartans looked to the officials, believing that a foul should have been called. But video confirmed that Tonje's gutsy block was clean, and that the no-call was correct.
Just seconds before, another huge block had saved the game for the Badgers. Carter Gilmore got a piece of an attempted 3-pointer from Tre Holloman, sending the ball off-target.
Things were tight between the two teams throughout the game, with Wisconsin holding a slim four-point lead heading into halftime. Michigan State kept closing in on the Badgers' lead in the final minutes of the second half before Wisconsin danced away again. The Spartans did their best to push for a win in the final seconds, but the Badgers' defense held strong.
Tonje had a huge game overall, finishing with game-high 32 points and chipping in seven rebounds. Spartans guard Jase Richardson led Michigan State with 21 points, with Fears and Holloman pitching in 14 and 10 points each, respectively.
Wisconsin, who was already comfortably in the field for March Madness, will now face the winner of Michigan-Maryland in the Big Ten tournament finals on Sunday. As for Michigan State, an early conference tournament exit won't have much impact on their NCAA tournament prospects; the Spartans are likely looking at a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance.
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