Wisconsin’s Dynamic Duo Shines in 91-88 OT Epic

No. 5 seed Wisconsin overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to defeat No. 4 seed Illinois, 91-88, in overtime to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Sound familiar? That's because the Badgers ironically mirrored their regular-season performance against the Illini, when they also overcame a double-digit deficit to win by two in overtime.

Different this time? The record-breaking performances by Wisconsin's Nick Boyd and John Blackwell. Boyd scored 38 points, which is second all-time in Big Ten Tournament history and broke the Wisconsin tournament record set just yesterday by Blackwell (34). Blackwell's 31 bomb made it the first time since 1968 that two Badgers have scored 30+ points in the same game.

The Illini started strong, fueled by Andrej Stojaković’s 12 first-half points and a 23-3 run that gave them a commanding 28-13 lead. But the Badgers clawed back, led by Blackwell’s scoring burst, to cut the deficit to 36-30 at halftime.

The second half was a dogfight. Illinois maintained control early, with Tomislav Ivisic extending its lead to 11. However, Boyd and Blackwell took over, combining for 35 of the Badgers’ first 39 second-half points. A 14-5 Wisconsin run gave the Badgers their first lead since the opening minutes, but the game remained tight, with both teams trading clutch plays down the stretch. Tied at 76, the game headed to overtime.

In the extra period, Wisconsin surged ahead with a 7-2 run, thanks to Boyd and Austin Rapp. Illinois made a late push behind David Mirkovic, who scored five points in the final seconds, but the Badgers held on.

No. 5 seed Wisconsin advances to take on No. 1 seed Michigan in the semifinals at 12 p.m. CT tomorrow on CBS. The Badgers are still the only Big Ten team to defeat the Wolverines this season. Will they repeat another upset on back-to-back nights? We'll find out tomorrow. Want to see the semifinal in person in Chicago?  Click here .

Full game breakdown below. 👇 Get  more tournament stories here .

First Half: Two runs and a six-point lead

• Emotions are high right after tip-off. We've got a little friendly trash talking off the bat that's called a double technical for Nick Boyd (WIS) and Kylan Boswell (ILL). 👀
• Both teams' stars start the scoring. Boyd and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Keaton Wagler (ILL) each net five points, and its tied at 17:46.
• Three layups and two free throws from Andrej Stojaković lead Illinois to a 12-0 run and a 17-10 lead (12:33)!
• Make it a 23-3 run for the Illini, capped off with a Boswell triple. 28-13 Illini with 9:14 left in the half.
• John Blackwell breaks up the run with five straight points for the Badgers. With a fastbreak layup from Boyd, they're back within eight at the media (7:17).
• Notable: There were no stoppages for over five minutes of play. 🏃‍♂️
• The Badgers clap back with a 12-0 run of their own, led by eight from Blackwell! It's 28-25 Illini with 5:35 to go.
• Illinois breaks up the run with a couple buckets, and the teams trade scores the rest of the way. We head to the locker rooms with Illinois leading 36-30.
• Key Contributor (ILL): Stojakovic (12 points, five rebounds).
• Key Contributor (WIS): Blackwell (10 points).
• Notable: Both teams are shooting under 30% from three so far. Look for someone to get hot from distance in the second half.

Second Half: Dogfight

• It's a tennis match at the beginning of the second half, but Illinois maintains an 11-point lead thanks to Tomislav Ivisic. He's getting it done from beyond the arc and with a put-back in the paint! 50-39, 16:30.
• Nick Boyd has the Badgers' last seven points, as they go into the media timeout down 54-43 (14:24).
• Notable: The Illini's depth is shining through today. They have 21 bench points compared to Wisconsin's four.
• Wisconsin mounts a 9-0 run, fueled by seven Blackwell tallies. The Badgers make it 60-54 and force an Illinois timeout with 9:10 to go!
• The Badgers go on a massive 14-5 spurt to take their first lead since it was 10-9 in the first! 68-67 Wisconsin with 4:50 left!
• Notable: 35 of Wisconsin's first 39 points in the second half so far have come from either Boyd or Blackwell. 😤😤
• Austin Rapp mains two free throws for UW before Stojakovic counters with a three. It's tied at 70 with 3:51 remaining. 😬
• Ivisic drills two free throws to tie the game before Aleksas Bieliauskas gives UW the lead right back. Wagler responds with a two to knot it back up at 74 (2:41).
• Notable: Boswell picks up his fourth personal foul. Wagler also has four for the Illini.
• A pair of Boyd free throws give UW the lead back before Ivisic counters with another two. We're tied again at 76.
• Stojakvoic fastbreak layup. Blackwell free throws. A chance on each end, and...
• WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME!

Overtime: Do you get déjà vu

• Wisconsin opens the extra period with a 7-2 run to match its largest lead of the game, courtesy of Boyd and Rapp. 85-80 with 2:33 remaining.
• A foul is called, and John Blackwell hits two free throws to stretch the Badgers' lead to 87-81 with 46 seconds remaining.
• David Mirkovic makes a jumper for Illinois before Boyd earns a couple trips to the free throw line. Wisconsin has a 90-83 leaad with 14 seconds left.
• Mirkovic! He buries a three-pointer and a layup to put the Illini within two with just six seconds left!
• Braeden Carrington makes one of his free throws to make it a three-point game with five seconds remaining in overtime.
• Wagler puts up a deep three, but it hits off the rim.
• BADGERS ADVANCE IN A 91-88 OVERTIME THRILLER!
• Notable: This is the first time that Wisconsin has had two players with 30+ points in the same game since 1968. Boyd finishes with 38, Blackwell with 31.
• Notable: Nick Boyd finishes with the second-most points in Big Ten Tournament history, sets a new career high (38), and breaks the Wisconsin program record for most points in a tournament game set just yesterday by Blackwell.
• Notable: The last time Illinois and Wisconsin met, the Badgers overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the Illini in overtime. This time, in the tournament, Wisconsin overcame a double-digit deficit to beat Illinois in overtime. 👀

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