Sparty takes down Bucky

The Wisconsin Badgers have dropped back to back games for the first time this season.    Returning to the Kohl Center after falling to Illinois in Champaign last weekend, 18th ranked Wisconsin hosted a hot Michigan State club.   The Spartans were able to execute down the stretch on both ends of the floor to win a tightly contested game 69-65.   Former Stevens Point prep star and Marquette transfer Joey Hauser led the Spartans to their seventh straight win with 10 points.   Steven Crowl led Wisconsin with 19.  Chucky Hepburn added 14 and freshman Connor Essegian had 13, all coming in the first half when the Badgers trailed 33-31 at the break.    Wisconsin held the lead until the final four minutes, playing without Tyler Wahl who is still nursing an ankle injury.   The key stats had Michigan State with a 33-18 rebounding advantage and the were plus 10 on made free throws.    Wisconsin drops to 11-4 overall and 3-2 in Big 10 play.  They’ll travel to Indiana on Saturday.