Happ scores 20 as Wisconsin holds off Penn State 66-60

Penn State junior defenseman Mike Williamson has made a decision to end his hockey playing career due to chronic injuries, the school said today. Each man plays a physical style and can work inside out and back again.

Following last minute heroics from Devin Foster, who connected on two 3-pointers in the final two minutes, the second bringing the game to 63-60 with 30 seconds on the clock, Wisconsin would close the game out with three free throws from Happ.

“I’m confident in myself to knock them down”, said Happ, who finished 10 of 15 from the line. Penn State shot an incredibly weak 38.6 percent (17-44) from the field.

Down 16 with 6:02 on the clock, Penn State showcased a burst of urgency that was absent for most of the game. Penn State saw themselves back within three with 26 seconds left, but were unable to complete the comeback against a Wisconsin team that has found itself able to finish the job late in games as of late.

For most part the second half was more of the same, with Penn State scoring just two points in the first three minutes of play in the second half as Wisconsin pushed ahead.

After losing five games by three points or less this season, Wisconsin (10-9 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) finally received a break as it upset No. 4 Michigan State (16-3, 3-3) 77-76 in a thriller at the Kohl Center Sunday. Meanwhile, Ethan Happ picked up the scoring mantle for Wisconsin (11-9, 3-4 Big Ten) and the Badgers won their second straight Big Ten game. Illikainen, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

UW almost let a big second-half lead slip away but held on to extend its winning streak over Penn State to eight games.

Despite out-rebounding and having a better shooting percentage than Wisconsin, the Spartans struggled with fouls, as their 28 fouls gave the Badgers 36 free throw attempts. The Nittany Lions closed the gap to 6 points with just over a minute to play at 60-54, and with 40 seconds to play, free throws helped Penn State close the gap to 62-57.

The six-point margin marks the 10th time in the last 11 games that victor between these two schools has been decided 10 or fewer points, meanwhile, the loss puts Penn State 0-8 against the Badgers under coach Pat Chambers.

After a Penn State bucket, a Hayes three pointer made it a 55-47 game with two and a half minutes to play. The star scored 23 points, dished out seven assists and drilled four 3-pointers. Greg Gard’s Wisconsin squad improves to 11-9 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.

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