Crowl scores 36, Wisconsin tops Bradley 81-62 in NIT
Bradley forward Ja'Shon Henry (22) rebounds the ball next to Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Credit: AP/SAMANTHA MADAR
MADISON, Wis. — Steven Crowl scored a career-high 36 points and Wisconsin cruised to an 81-62 victory over Bradley on Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT.
Crowl buried 12 of 16 shots from the floor, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and all seven of his free throws for the second-seeded Badgers, who advance to play No. 3 seed Liberty in the second round. Crowl, a junior, topped his previous high by 11 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Max Klesmit totaled 16 points and three steals, while Connor Essegian was 9 of 9 at the foul line and scored 14.
Rienk Mast scored 14 points to lead the Braves (25-10). Zek Montgomery added 12 points.
Crowl scored 19 points in the first half to guide the Badgers to 40-35 lead at halftime. Crowl scored 17 in the second half and Klesmit added 13 to help Wisconsin pull away.
