Wisconsin Rallies Past Ohio State With Balanced Scoring Surge

It was a night of high-octane basketball and roaring comebacks in Madison, as the Wisconsin Badgers overcame a sluggish start to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes 92-82 at the Kohl Center on January 31, 2026. With this victory, Wisconsin capped off their three-game homestand in style and continued their perfect record in games where they score at least 80 points, now standing at 14-0 in such contests. The win also improved the Badgers’ overall record to 16-6 and 8-3 in Big Ten play, marking their seventh win in the last eight outings—a streak that has fans and analysts alike buzzing about their postseason prospects.

The game’s opening minutes, however, were anything but a preview of the fireworks to come. Both Wisconsin and Ohio State struggled mightily to find the bottom of the net, with each team missing their first nine shots from the field. The Buckeyes seized the early initiative, racing ahead to a 15-4 lead on the back of efficient ball movement and a timely three-pointer from Puff Johnson. By the time the clock showed 11:37 left in the first half, Ohio State still held a comfortable 21-10 advantage, and the Kohl Center crowd was growing restless.

But then came the spark the Badgers so desperately needed. Sophomore forward Austin Rapp, who had scored just 20 points in his previous four games combined, exploded off the bench. Rapp poured in 19 points in the first half alone, connecting on 7-of-9 shots, including a sizzling 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. His energy was palpable—snagging rebounds, hustling on defense, and igniting the home fans with every bucket. "Rapp has been a big part of that off the bench," noted John Steppe, highlighting how the sophomore was tied for the team lead with three rebounds early and provided a much-needed offensive boost.

Rapp wasn’t alone in his heroics. John Blackwell and Nick Boyd also found their rhythm, combining with Rapp for 40 first-half points on an impressive 16-of-23 shooting. Blackwell, aggressive and efficient, chipped in 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the opening period, while Boyd shrugged off a slow start to finish with 10 first-half points. The trio’s efforts propelled Wisconsin on a game-changing run, erasing the 11-point deficit and tying the score at 21-21 in a matter of minutes. By halftime, Wisconsin had completely flipped the script, taking a 49-43 lead into the locker room after outscoring Ohio State 45-28 over the final 14 minutes of the half.

Wisconsin’s offensive efficiency was nothing short of dazzling. After their 1-of-9 start, the Badgers shot 19-of-27 the rest of the half, finishing at 57% from the field and 47% from three-point range. They averaged a scorching 1.49 points per possession in the first 20 minutes—numbers that would make any coach smile. The ball movement was crisp, the shot selection improved, and the team’s confidence grew with every made basket. "Wisconsin made a serious effort to be aggressive from the jump," one observer noted, emphasizing the inside-out approach and the unselfish play that created wide-open looks from deep.

Defensively, the Badgers had their hands full with Ohio State’s high-powered attack. The Buckeyes managed to shoot 44% from three in the first half and kept the pressure on by attacking the paint. But Wisconsin’s defense tightened when it mattered most, contesting shots at the rim and limiting Ohio State to just 9-of-23 shooting from inside the arc in the opening half. The Badgers also took care of the basketball, committing just three turnovers before the break.

The second half saw Wisconsin pick up right where they left off. Outscoring Ohio State 11-6 in the early going, the Badgers pushed their lead to double digits and never looked back. The offense cooled slightly, but balanced scoring from multiple players kept the Buckeyes at bay. Five different Badgers scored the team’s first five field goals of the half, illustrating the depth and versatility that has become a hallmark of this squad. With under eight minutes to play, Wisconsin held an eight-point lead, and the visitors could never get any closer.

By the final buzzer, Wisconsin had five players in double figures. Blackwell led the way with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, followed closely by Boyd with 21 and Rapp with 19. Nolan Winter, a model of consistency in the frontcourt, notched another double-double, further solidifying his reputation as a tough matchup in the paint. Braeden Carrington and Aleksas Bieliauskas also contributed, with Carrington’s free throws helping the Badgers reach the 90-point mark for the ninth time this season. Notably, Wisconsin has won every game in which they have scored 90 or more points, a testament to their explosive potential when the offense is clicking.

The Badgers’ dominance was also reflected in the stat sheet. They shot 52% from the field, 35% from three, and a stellar 19-of-21 at the free-throw line. Their ball movement yielded 16 assists to just five turnovers, while they outscored Ohio State 42-30 in the paint and 16-6 on points off turnovers. The Buckeyes, despite averaging 1.139 points per possession and shooting 41% overall, simply couldn’t match Wisconsin’s offensive firepower down the stretch.

Wisconsin’s win was even more impressive given the absence of usual starter Andrew Rohde, sidelined with a wrist injury. Redshirt sophomore Jack Janicki stepped into the starting lineup for the first time in his career, recording two points and three assists in a steady performance. The Badgers’ ability to adapt and thrive despite missing key personnel speaks volumes about their depth and resilience.

Looking ahead, the Badgers will enjoy a week-long break before embarking on a challenging stretch that sees them play six of their remaining nine Big Ten regular season games on the road, starting with a visit to Indiana on February 7. With momentum on their side and a balanced, high-powered offense, Wisconsin is poised to make some serious noise as the conference race heats up.

For the Buckeyes, the loss highlighted some defensive lapses in the first half that proved costly, despite a strong start and determined play throughout. As the Big Ten schedule grinds on, both teams will look to build on the lessons from this thrilling contest. But for now, it’s the Badgers who are celebrating another memorable home win—and dreaming bigger with each victory.