Wisconsin defeats Samford 87-51

MADISON — Mike Bruesewitz returned to the starting lineup in style, scoring 13 points as Wisconsin closed out its nonconference schedule with an 87-51 victory over Samford on Saturday.

Bruesewitz, whose total was a season high, was one of five players in double figures for the Badgers (9-4). He sustained a concussion in practice on Dec. 6, missed two games and came off the bench last Saturday in a win over Milwaukee.

Frank Kaminsky poured in a career-best 16 points, Ryan Evans added 14 points and 12 rebounds, Sam Dekker scored 12 and Jared Berggren had 10 for Wisconsin, which opened up a 30-point lead before halftime. The Badgers open Big Ten play Jan. 3 at home against Penn State.

Raijon Kelly scored 16 points to lead the Bulldogs (3-11), who missed their first five shots and trailed 13-2 just more than 5 minutes into the game.

Bruesewitz set the tone early against Samford, driving the lane uncontested for a dunk just 13 seconds into the game.

The high-energy senior had nine of the Badgers' first 13 points and hit all six of his shots in the first half — the last of which was another dunk that made it 45-17. Traevon Jackson added two free throws 18 seconds before halftime as Wisconsin's lead grew to 30.

Bruesewitz took only one shot in the second half, missing a 3-pointer from the right side with 16:39 to go. Kaminsky matched him with 6-for-7 shooting, and hit all four of his 3-point attempts.

The Badgers shot 54.5 percent on 3-pointers (12 for 22), surpassed 80 points for the fifth time this season and nearly matched their season high for points, set in an 88-43 victory over Presbyterian on Nov. 20.

Connor Miller, a sophomore from Stanley, Wis., added 12 points for Samford. Bulldogs freshman Tim Williams, who came in averaging a team-best 14.7 points, scored with 11.

Wisconsin's Bo Ryan was coaching two days after his mother, Louise Ryan, died in Florida. She was 86.

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