MADISON, Wis. — Nick Boyd scored 20 of his career-high 25 points in the first half as No. 24 Wisconsin beat Northern Illinois 97-72 on Friday night.
Boyd surpassed his previous best of 24 points, set last season with San Diego State. Boyd, who also played on Florida Atlantic’s 2023 Final Four team, shot 8 for 16 from the field, including 3 for 8 from long distance.
Returning starters John Blackwell added 15 points and Nolan Winter 12 for Wisconsin (2-0), which built an early 20-5 lead.
JJ Taylor had 17 points and Jao Ituka 13 for Northern Illinois (1-1).
Wisconsin had a 36-25 rebounding edge, including 15-4 on the offensive boards and built a 21-2 advantage in second-chance points. The Badgers shot 49.2%, including 9 of 31 from distance, but 3 of 17 in the second half.
Wisconsin led 52-33 at the half despite going more than eight minutes without a field goal. Blackwell hit a jumper from the line in the closing seconds to end the scoring drought.
Boyd’s 3-pointer put the Badgers up 39-17 with 8:24 left in the half before Wisconsin missed its next six shots. The Badgers scored their next 11 points from the free-throw line.
Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd shoots past Northern Illinois’ Ladji Kante and Jaylen Wharton during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Madison, Wis. Credit: AP/Morry Gash
Wisconsin hit eight of its first 10 shots, moving out to a 20-5 lead on a layin by freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas. That early advantage allowed Wisconsin to use 11 players in the half.
Wisconsin, which led the nation in free throw shooting last season at 82.6%, shot 28 for 37 for 75.7%.
Up next
Northern Illinois: At Grand Canyon on Monday.
Wisconsin: Hosts Ball State on Tuesday.
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