Wisconsin rallies from 12-point deficit for OT win over No. 8 Illinois

Badgers overcome second-half deficit to defeat Illini 92-90 in overtime

Feb. 11, 2026 at 8:39am

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The Wisconsin Badgers overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat the 8th-ranked Illinois Illini 92-90 in overtime on Tuesday night. Nick Boyd scored 25 points and John Blackwell added 24 to lead the Badgers' comeback, combining for 9 of Wisconsin's 11 points in the extra period. Austin Rapp hit two crucial 3-pointers in the final two minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime.

Why it matters

This Big Ten conference matchup between two ranked teams was an exciting back-and-forth battle that showcased the competitiveness of the league. Wisconsin's ability to rally from a large deficit on the road against a top-10 opponent demonstrates their resilience and potential to make noise in the postseason.

The details

Wisconsin trailed by 12 points with 8:10 remaining in regulation, but stormed back to tie the game at 81-81 and force overtime. In the extra period, Boyd and Blackwell took over, combining for 9 of the Badgers' 11 points to secure the victory. Illinois played without injured starters Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, and struggled at the free-throw line, going just 11-of-19. The teams combined for 69 3-point attempts, with Wisconsin shooting 16-of-36 and Illinois 15-of-33 from beyond the arc.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Wisconsin trailed by 12 points with 8:10 left in regulation.

The players

Nick Boyd

A Wisconsin player who scored 25 points to lead the Badgers' comeback.

John Blackwell

A Wisconsin player who scored 24 points and combined with Boyd for 9 of Wisconsin's 11 overtime points.

Keaton Wagler

An Illinois player who scored a game-high 34 points in the loss.

Tomislav Ivisic

An Illinois player who scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds, but played most of the game in a backup jersey after his original was ripped early on.

Austin Rapp

A Wisconsin player who hit two crucial 3-pointers in the final two minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitiveness of the Big Ten conference, with two ranked teams battling in a back-and-forth overtime thriller. Wisconsin's ability to rally from a large deficit on the road against a top-10 opponent demonstrates their resilience and potential to make noise in the postseason.