Banked 3-Pointer at Buzzer Wins Game for Wisconsin at Michigan

Filed under: Michigan, Wisconsin, Big Ten

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Josh Gasser banked in a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer to give No. 12 Wisconsin a 53-52 win over Michigan on Wednesday night.

The Wolverines (17-12, 7-9 Big Ten) led by two, but Darius Morris missed the front end of a one-and-one with 30.8 seconds remaining. Michigan still had four fouls to give and used them all, the last with only 5.4 seconds left, but on the final play, Gasser was able to beat the buzzer and deal a severe blow to the Wolverines' NCAA tournament hopes.

After his shot went in, the Wisconsin bench emptied and piled on top of Gasser near midcourt.

Jordan Taylor scored 20 points for Wisconsin (21-6, 11-4). The Wolverines double teamed him on the final play and made him give up the ball, but Gasser was open to the right of the top of the key.

Wisconsin shot only 36 percent from the field and went 8 of 29 from 3-point range. Taylor was 3 of 6 from long distance and Keaton Nankivil was 3 of 7. The rest of the team was 2 of 16, but that included Gasser's winner.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16 points for Michigan, which went 5 of 11 from the free throw line.

It was probably the most heartbreaking loss of the season for the Wolverines, and there have been a few. Michigan was not expected to win much this season with a young team, but the Wolverines took Kansas to overtime and nearly knocked off Ohio State at home.

Michigan started 1-6 in conference play but was inches away from returning to .500 in the Big Ten on Wednesday.

Nankivil scored 13 points for the Badgers, and Jon Leuer added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Jordan Morgan scored 12 points for Michigan.

Michigan led 31-30 at halftime after making 12 of 18 shots. Taylor and Leuer kept Wisconsin in it by combining for 21 points in the first half.

The Badgers started the second half 1 of 8 from the field, but Michigan couldn't pull away. In fact, when Nankivil finally broke the drought with five quick points, Wisconsin led 37-36.

After Taylor put the Badgers up 48-45 with a long two-pointer from the right corner, Morris scored from inside and Hardaway sank a 3-pointer from near the top of the key to put Michigan back in front.

Gasser tied it at 50 with 3:00 left, but Morgan scored inside with 2:41 to play.

For a while, it seemed that basket might hold up until the end of the game, but Gasser had one more chance.

Wisconsin has won 10 straight games against Michigan.

 

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