The 15th-ranked Badgers scored a 74-53 victory over Chicago State on Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center, holding the Cougars scoreless over a 5-minute streak during the second half and extending the lead to 24 points before the final buzzer.

MADISON, Wis. — John Tonje had 22 points and Nolan Winter scored 12 to pace No. 15 Wisconsin to a 74-53 win over Chicago State on Saturday. Wisconsin (8-0) gained control with a 17-3 run early in the second half, going in front 49-30 on a dunk by Winter with 11:21 remaining. The Cougars (0-9) made just 1 of 13 shots during that stretch.

The score would seesaw until veteran guard Kamari McGee, who scored 10 points off the bench, canned a three-pointer to push Wisconsin ahead 65-62. Tonje would follow with a layup on the ensuing possession, and the Badgers did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game.

After dropping 41 points on No. 9 Arizona, Badgers guard John Tonje has been named both the AP national player of the week and Big Ten men's basketball player of the week.

Wisconsin needed someone to step up after losing all five starters from a year ago and John Tonje has been that guy early in the season.

Wisconsin basketball rolled past Chicago State 74-53 on Saturday to pick up its eighth victory of the 2024-25 season. As many predicted, it was all Badgers from start to finish. UW wing John Tonje again captained Wisconsin’s offensive attack with 22 points off 5-of-12 from the field,