Nebraska’s Terran Pittway (5) passes against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky, back left, and Bronson Koenig (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Terran Petteway, Frank Kaminsky
Nebraska’s Terran Pittway (5) shoots against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Tarin Smith, Nigel Hayes
Nebraska’s Tarin Smith drives against Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Terran Petteway, Frank Kaminsky
Nebraska’s Terran Petteway (5) passes against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Train Smith, Benny Parker, Josh Gasser
Nebraska’s Tarin Smith (11) and Benny Parker guard Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Duje Dukan, Tarin Smith
Wisconsin’s Duje Dukan (13) fouls Nebraska’s Tarin Smith (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Madison, Wis. At right is Nebraska’s Shavon Shields. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Frank Kaminsky scored 22 points in his return from a concussion that sidelined him a game to help No. 7 Wisconsin beat Nebraska 70-55 on Thursday night.
Kaminsky was 4 of 5 from 3-point range and 7 of 11 overall after missing the Badgers’ loss at Rutgers on Sunday night. In the first half, Kaminsky blocked Leslee Smith from behind on a drive to the basket, gathered the loose ball, sprinted the length of the court and floated an alley-oop to Sam Dekker.
It was the first full game for the Badgers without starting point guard Traevon Jackson, who injured his ankle Sunday. Bronson Koenig filled in well with 11 points for the Badgers (16-2, 4-1 Big Ten). Nigel Hayes scored 13 points, and Dekker added 11.
Terran Petteway led Nebraska (10-7, 2-3) with 27 points. He had 20 in the first half.
The Nebraska forward hit eight of his first 11 shots. Wisconsin switched defenders on picks set for Petteway, and he repeatedly took advantage of the bigger post players that ended up guarding him, either driving them to the hoop or stepping back for a jumper.
He didn’t get much help, though. The rest of the team shot 10 of 30.
Nebraska played Wisconsin tight early on. But the referees called a technical foul in the closing seconds of the first half as coach Tim Miles argued following a Kaminsky shot in the lane. Josh Gasser hit one of the two free throws to put the Badgers up 37-27 at the break, their biggest lead to that point.
Nebraska was able to cut the lead to four early in the second half. But the Badgers blew the game open with a 13-0 run that included a four-point play as Duje Dukan was fouled while hitting a 3-pointer and then converted the free throw.
TIP-INS
Nebraska: Thursday was only the third time this season the Cornhuskers have played with their full lineup. Smith had been sidelined with a torn ACL suffered in July, while Moses Abraham missed seven games with a broken hand.
Wisconsin: The Badgers have added two players to the 1,000-point club in the past week. In addition to Kaminsky on Thursday night, Dekker eclipsed 1,000 points for his career last week. They are the 17th and 18th players in Wisconsin history to hit that mark; 14 of the Wisconsin players to score at least 1,000 points in Badgers history have played under coach Bo Ryan. The next closest players are Gasser (940) and Jackson (827).
UP NEXT
Nebraska: Hosts Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Wisconsin: Hosts Iowa on Tuesday night.