SAN DIEGO – Wisconsin men’s basketball guard Nick Boyd posted a career-high 36 points in a 104-83 win over Providence on Thursday at the Rady Children’s Invitational at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
The Badgers improved to 5-1 on the season, and 19-0 when scoring 90-plus points under head coach Greg Gard. It’s the most points scored in a non-conference matchup since a 105-70 win over Eastern Illinois on December 28, 1995.
Boyd shot 15-of-25 from the field, aiding UW to the Rady Children’s Invitational championship game vs. TCU on Friday at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Austin Rapp enjoyed his best game as a Badger, scoring a season-high 20 points, hitting 5 three-pointers. The sophomore grabbed 8 rebounds, as well.
Nolan Winter logged a double-double with 19 points, matching his season-high, while adding 10 rebounds. It’s his fourth double-double of the season, and seventh of the junior’s career.
Wisconsin closed the first half on a 20-7 run to take a 51-32 lead into the locker room. During that run Boyd and Rapp combined for 18 points.
Boyd ended the first half with 18 points while Rapp had 15 thanks to 4-of-8 shooting from three-point land.
Jack Janicki provided a spark off the bench with 9 points, matching his career-high of three three-pointers.
Boyd is up 21.5 points per game on the season – the second-highest of any Big Ten player.
Overall, the Badgers outpaced the Friars, outscoring them 32-14 in fastbreak points. UW held the prolific Providence offense to their second lowest point-total of the season, coming into the contest at 93.1 points per game.
Up Next: Wisconsin will face TCU on Friday in the championship game of the Rady Children’s Invitational. Tip is set for 4:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. PT and the game will air live on FOX. Fans can also listen to it on the Badger Radio Network as Chris Vosters and Brian Butch have the call.
