What Happens in Vegas...Hopefully Stays in Vegas

After the Badgers cruised for two early victories over Prairie View A&M, and North Dakota they would travel to the desert for their first test of the season. A test that the Badgers would not pass.

In an electric environment at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev. the Badgers would struggle with fouls, and defense.

Early fouls would be the first problem of the night for the Badgers. With seniors John Leuer, and Keaton Nankivil taking two early fouls the Badgers were forced to go small. Besides losing size the Badgers also lost their leading scorer in Leuer for most of the first half.

Wisconsin would count on junior guard Jordan Taylor for a majority of the offense in the first half. Scoring 16 of his 19 points in the first half Taylor was able to keep the Badgers in the game while Leuer and Nankivil sat on the bench with foul trouble.

Heading into the break UNLV led the slimmest of margins by the score of 34-33. In the second half the game would turn into a three point shooting contest for the Running Rebels, and a game that went back and forth throughout.

Perimeter defense would prove to be one of the problems that would prevent Bucky from winning in the desert. Coming into the match-up the Running Rebels had struggled from behind the arch. Something they had no problem with against the Badgers.

UNLV who had been shooting just 28% in terms of three pointers in their first two games shot an impressive 50% from behind the arch. Resulting in 27 or UNLV's 68 points on the night.

Despite the foul trouble, and defensive problems the Badgers were in the game late. Even having a shot at winning the game with just seconds on the clock. After a missed John Leuer jumper the Running Rebels and Badgers were unable to recover the rebound. Resulting in another Wisconsin inbounds play.

After being unable to get the ball inbounds sophomore Mike Bruesewitz used Wisconsin's last timeout. Coming out of the time out Bruesewitz tried to get the ball to Leuer in the low post, but put the ball on the floor instead of in the air. The Badgers turned the ball over, and were unable to get the shot off.

Following two made free throws by UNLV's Justin Hawkins the Badgers had one more shot. But the long three pointer by Jordan Taylor that would have tied the game bounced off the rim, and the Badgers would lose 68-65. Giving Wisconsin their first loss of the season in Sin City.