John Blackwell scored 19 of his 24 points in the first half, including 13 in about a six-minute span, to lead No. 11 Wisconsin to an 88-62 thumping of Washington in the Big Ten matchup in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday night.

Blackwell began the night averaging 14.9 points and carried the hot-shooting Badgers (22-6, 12-5), who needed a lift after blowing a 17-point lead and losing to Oregon in overtime on Saturday, also in Madison. The hosts shot 51.6 percent from the field this time.

John Tonje added 13 points, and Steven Crowl and Xavier Amos chipped in 12 apiece for Wisconsin. Blackwell, who went 8 of 11 from the field in the first half, finished the night at 9 of 16 and contributed 10 rebounds and two steals as Wisconsin took advantage of the last-place Huskies (13-15, 4-13).

The Badgers also remained in the mix for a top-four seed and the double-bye it would include in next month’s Big Ten tournament.

Great Osobor led Washington with 11 points, Mekhi Mason was next with nine and three more teammates finished with eight. Franck Kepnang collected seven points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Huskies, who shot 44.8 percent from the field, had 10 turnovers and were no match for Wisconsin.

The Badgers also outrebounded the visitors 41-26.

The Badgers led by 15 at halftime and never let the Huskies back in the game. Wisconsin made eight of its first 11 shots after the break to push its lead to 60-42. The cushion quickly grew to 20 on Jack Janicki’s basket with 11:29 left in the game, and it hit 30 for the first time with 8:30 to play.

Blackwell began his first-half tear with five straight points to start a 19-7 burst. He netted three treys in his 13-point surge, and the Badgers were ahead 39-22 with 2:08 left in the first half.

–Field Level Media