March Madness: BYU fends off stunning Wisconsin rally, hands Big Ten its first loss after 10-0 start in tournament
Few saw the final moments of this game coming.
The Big Ten's perfect start is no more.
No. 6 seed BYU held on for a dramatic 91-89 over Wisconsin Saturday, handing the Big Ten its first loss of the NCAA tournament. The Big Ten is now 10-1 in tournament play.
BYU set the tone early that an 11-0 Big Ten start was not meant to be. The Cougars jumped out to a 23-14 lead at the midway point of the fist half then extended it to 47-36 at the break. Wisconsin struggled to slow a BYU offensive that was hot inside and out.
Wisconsin made a stand at the start the second half, cutting its deficit to 52-48. But the Cougars quickly extended the lead back to double digits and appeared cruising to victory before some late-game drama.
Flagrant 2 for groin contact shifts tone of final minutes
With 3:11 remaining, officials ejected BYU's Dawson Baker for a flagrant 2 foul for what they deemed "non-incidental contact to the groin."
Rules Analyst @GeneSteratore breaks down the ejection of BYU's Dawson Baker pic.twitter.com/tx4uDpnXbV— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2025
BYU led, 86-76 at the time of the flagrant foul. Baker was ejected, and Wisconsin was awarded two free throws and possession.
John Tonje made both free throws, and Wisconsin outscored BYU, 13-5 from there to cut its deficit to 91-89 in the game's final minute. But Wisconsin's last-gasp effort fell short in the game's final seconds.
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