CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – Freshman Trent Frazier scored 32 points in Illinois' 78-69 loss to Wisconsin on Thursday night at the State Farm Center.
Ethan Happ scored 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting to lead Wisconsin to a series record 13th straight win over Illinois.
"Ethan (Happ) did a good job for us tonight," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "When Illinois puts that kind of pressure on you, you have to be able to find the open man. Ethan had eight assists for us and was our playmaker and point scorer. He found who he needed to with the ball. He's a pretty unselfish player."
Frazier's career-high 32 points are the third-most points by a freshman in program history. Leron Black added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Illinois (12-13, 2-10).
"I just had a flow going tonight," Frazier said.
Frazier hit a 3-pointer to tie it with 11 minutes to play before Wisconsin used an 11-2 run to take a 63-54 lead six minutes later after Davison made a 3. Pritzl scored 10 points from there, including two long 3-pointers from the left wing, to seal it.
The Badgers shot 53 percent from the field, including 8 of 15 from 3-point range, and had 20 assists on 25 field goals.
"You have to give Trent credit," Gard said. "He made some tough, tough shots there at the end."
First-year Illinois coach Brad Underwood said Wisconsin's use of several ball handlers made defending the Badgers hard. "They are certainly a non-conventional team."
Wisconsin led 36-33 at the half.
"It's not been easy for us," Gard said. "We're a young team and we are learning and growing with each game. I think the guys showed more maturity tonight down the stretch, even though Trent (Frazier) kept them close."
The Illini were 21-of-55 (38 percent) shooting.
"It's frustrating. But tonight it was just a really, really good player (Happ) having his way with us," Underwood said. "We don't the size to deal with that."
Up next, Illinois hosts Penn State Sunday at 6 pm CT.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Freshman guard Trent Frazier scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three-point range.
- Trent Frazier's seven three-pointers are tied for fifth most in a game in Illinois history, his second time making seven in a game (7 vs. Iowa). He is the second Illinois player in program history to have two 7+ three-pointer games in a single season (Kevin Turner 1997-98).
- It was Trent Frazier's fourth 20+ point game, eighth straight game in double figures and 14th time in double figures in the last 15 games.
- Most points in a game by a freshman in Illinois history: 34 Deon Thomas vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 12/3/1990; 33 Kiwane Garris vs. Iowa, 1/19/94; 32 Trent Frazier vs. Wisconsin 2/8/2018
- Leron Black had his second double-double of the season and sixth of his career. He scored 13 points and had 11 rebounds.
