MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Max Klesmith made a runner in the lane with 4.8 seconds to play in overtime and Wisconsin beat top-seeded Big Ten Purdue 76-75 on Saturday for a berth in the conference championship game.
Klesmit’s shot followed teammate Chucky Hepburn in regulation when Hepburn made a layup as time expired to force overtime.
“I just got a good look at the end and it worked out,” said Klesmith, who finished with 12 points, five assists and five rebounds.
Hepburn had 22 points and AJ Storr scored 20 for fifth-seeded Wisconsin (22-12).
Zach Eddy led No. 3 Purdue (29-4) with 28 points and 11 rebounds. He was the only Boilermaker to score in double figures.
Edey surpassed Rick Mount’s school record of 2,323 career points (1967-1970) with about seven minutes left in the second half. He finished the game with 2,339 career points.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year was foul-limited in the first half and missed a crucial free throw late in regulation, but he hit eight straight free throws in overtime and finished 14 for 19 from the line.
The Badgers, who were ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation at the end of January, have lost eight of their last 11 conference games, including a 78-70 loss at Purdue on March 10. But they put those issues behind them in Minneapolis, with convincing wins over Maryland and Northwestern before beating the Boilermakers.
“There’s so much parity in college basketball,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “You have to keep your head down. … Don’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Purdue was trying to match Michigan State (1999, 2000) as the only Big Ten program to win both the outright regular-season and conference tournament titles in consecutive years. The Boilermakers now hope to lay to rest the ghosts of last year’s NCAA tournament, when they were the top seed, upset in the first round by No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
“We are focused on now. That’s in the past,” Purdue guard Braden Smith said. “I’ve said it a few times, they beat us the other day and they played better than us and I don’t think it’s going to happen again. We are all super excited and ready for next week.”
Trailing by a point with less than 30 seconds left in overtime, Hepburn drew an offensive foul on Smith, giving Wisconsin possession with 21.3 seconds left.
As the clock wound down, Klesmit let loose a shot that bounced straight up off the rim before falling through the hoop.
Lance Jones missed a final 35-foot shot as time expired that gave Wisconsin its first win over Purdue in three tries this season.
Down two points in regulation, the Badgers called a timeout after crossing midcourt with 2.7 seconds left. Hepburn caught the inbound pass and headed it to the basket, flipping it with her finger as time expired. Edey had just missed the second of two free throws with about six seconds left.
Wisconsin’s final possessions in regulation and overtime came off Purdue turnovers. The Boilermakers turned it over 16 times, compared to just five for the Badgers, leading to a 15-0 advantage in points off turnovers for Wisconsin.
“That’s kind of our magic number if we get 14, 15, 16, 17 turnovers,” Painter said. “I know it’s only our fourth loss, but with all four losses, that number is right up there. I just have to do a better job taking care of the basketball.”
Tempers flared early in the match when Eddie was fouled for a loose ball and elbowed Steven Crowe. The two centers stared at each other and exchanged words. Each player received a technical and Edey went to the bench with two fouls.
Next up
Wisconsin will play No. 13 Illinois on Sunday in the Big Ten tournament title game. The Badgers lost their only game with the Illini this season.
Purdue will wait until teams are selected on Sunday to learn where it will play in the NCAA tournament.
