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Illinois upsets No. 13 Wisconsin

Photo

Photo by Associated Press

Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan directs his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2010.

INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Tisdale scored 21 points and Demetri McCamey had 13 as fifth-seeded Illinois hung on for a 58-54 upset of No. 13 Wisconsin in Friday’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.

The Fighting Illini (19-13) are hoping the win solidifies their NCAA hopes.

Illinois faces No. 5 Ohio State in Saturday’s semifinals. After sharing the regular-season title with No. 6 Purdue and No. 11 Michigan State, the top-seeded Buckeyes needed a 37-foot buzzer-beater from Big Ten player of the year Evan Turner to eliminate Michigan 69-68.

It was nearly as tough for Illinois.

Wisconsin (23-8) was led by Trevon Hughes and Jon Leuer, each with 14 points. Hughes led a frantic flurry in the closing minutes that got the Badgers in position to force overtime. But Jason Bohannon’s 3-pointer with 15.9 seconds left clanked off the front of the rim, Mike Davis grabbed the rebound for Illinois, made 1 of 2 free throws and the Illini hung on.

The loss ended Wisconsin’s four-game winning streak and prevented coach Bo Ryan from earning his 600th career win.

But it was a surprise the Badgers were that close after shooting 28.6 percent from the field in the game and going 6 of 33 from the field in the first half.

Illinois took its biggest lead of the game at 46-30 when Brandon Paul hit a 3-pointer with 6:44 left.

That’s when the Badgers finally jump-started. Jordan Taylor and Bohannon hit back-to-back 3s and Leuer followed with a 19-footer to make it 46-38 with 3:58 to go.

The Illini rebuilt a 50-38 lead, but then Hughes almost single-handedly shot the Badgers back into the game.

Hughes and Keaton Nankivil knocked down five consecutive 3s for Wisconsin, the last coming when the 6-foot guard hit an arching rainbow jumper over 6-foot-9 Bill Cole with 31.4 seconds left. Suddenly, the Badgers were within 56-54.

Hughes fouled out on Illinois’ next possession, sending Jeff Jordan to the free-throw line. Jordan made the first but missed the second, giving Bohannon a chance to tie it from the right wing.

But Bohannon missed, Davis grabbed the loose ball and the Badgers never got another chance to tie it.