Owens Leads Badgers to Victory in Home Opener
November 25, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Senior guard Freddie Owens led the No. 15 Badger men's basketball team to a 81-47 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers in Wisconsin's home opener Tuesday night at the Kohl Center. Owens scored a career-high 24 points in the contest. Wisconsin's all-time record in home-openers improved to 86-15, including a perfect 6-0 at the Kohl Center and 3-0 under Bo Ryan.
The game was close early on as the lead changed five times in the first half. Trailing 14-10, the Badgers used a 16-4 run to secure a 26-18 advantage with 2:43 to go in the first half on their way to a 30-22 halftime lead. From that point on, the Badgers never looked back.
The Badgers started the second half strong with a 13-4 run to go ahead 43-26. Shooting 46.4% from the field, Wisconsin scored 51 of their 81 points in the second half. The UW sealed the victory with a 13-4 run to end the game.
Wisconsin had three players scoring in double digits. Owens' 24 points led all scorers. The 6-2 guard hit 7-of-8 from the field, shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the three point range and made 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Junior guard Devin Harris added 15, making a career-high 11 free throws. This game marked Harris' fifth consecutive double-digit scoring effort. Junior forward Mike Wilkinson also contributed 12 points and seven boards.
Jason Wright led the Panthers with 11 points, going 4-for-4 from the field.
Wisconsin dominated the court in many aspects. The Badgers made 34-41 free-throws compared to 11-15 for the Panthers. Wisconsin only committed seven turnovers, while Eastern Illinois turned the ball over 23 times.
Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan was pleased with his team's defensive effort.
'That end of the floor is always about work and attitude and discipline. So, there's sharp-shooting on that end, the defensive end. We 're guts and hard-work and attitude and sticking to the rules of our defense, it always gives you a chance.'
UW now leads the all-time series with Eastern Illinois 5-1. This was the teams' first meeting since Dec. 28, 1995, a 105-70 Wisconsin win in Madison. The Badgers are 5-0 against EIU in Madison.
The victory improved Wisconsin's home record to 29-2 under Bo Ryan. It also extended the Badgers' home winning streak at the Kohl Center to 14 games.
The Badgers continue their season against Rutgers on Saturday November 29. Tip off is at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN local.
Wisconsin vs. Eastern Illinois
Nov. 25, 2003 ' Madison, Wis.
Game Notes
' The win improved Wisconsin's home record to 29-2 under Bo Ryan. It was the Badgers' 14th consecutive win at the Kohl Center, dating back to last season.
' Junior Devin Harris started tonight, the 66th consecutive start of his career. He has started every game as a Badger.
' Harris scored 15 points, his fifth consecutive double-digit scoring effort, dating back to last season.
' Harris made a career-high 11 free throws (on 14 attempts).
' Freddie Owens was 7-8 from the field tonight (.875). For the season, he is 12-15 from the field (.800).
' Owens scored a career-high 24 points, his first 20+ point game since scoring 20 at Northwestern on Feb. 9, 2002.
' Wisconsin made 34-41 free throws compared to just 11-15 for Eastern Illinois. For the season, the Badgers are 51-69 from the line while their opponents are just 14-19.
' Sophomore Ray Nixon recorded career-highs in both points (five) and rebounds (six) tonight.
' Freshman Kammron Taylor made his Badger debut tonight, scoring 2 points.
