Wisconsin Defeats Montana for First March Madness Win \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Wisconsin secured its first March Madness win in three years, defeating Montana 85-66. Backup forward Carter Gilmore delivered a crucial momentum swing with a key three-pointer and defensive plays. The Badgers now advance to face either VCU or BYU in pursuit of their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
Wisconsin Defeats Montana in March Madness Quick Looks
- Wisconsin beat Montana 85-66 for their first tournament win in three years.
- Carter Gilmore’s big three-pointer and defensive plays shifted momentum.
- John Blackwell led the team with 19 points.
- Five Badgers scored in double figures: Crowl, Tonje, Amos, Winter, and Blackwell.
- Gilmore contributed eight points and key defensive stops.
- Wisconsin shot an impressive 55% from the field.
- Montana, despite ranking second in national shooting percentage, shot just 39%.
- Montana’s leading scorer, Money Williams, was held to eight points.
- The Badgers will face either VCU or BYU in the East Region next.
- Late missed three-pointers helped Wisconsin cover the 16.5-point spread.
Deep Look
The Wisconsin Badgers celebrated a triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament stage on Thursday night with a decisive 85-66 win over the Montana Grizzlies, marking their first March Madness victory in three years. It was a performance defined by depth, resilience, and a crucial momentum shift sparked by backup forward Carter Gilmore.
The 14th-seeded Montana Grizzlies, who entered the game with confidence as Big Sky Conference champions and boasting the second-best shooting percentage in the nation (50.2%), seemed poised to challenge the higher-seeded Badgers. Early in the second half, Montana clawed back into contention, narrowing the deficit to just four points at 51-47 after a steal and layup from leading scorer Money Williams.
That’s when Carter Gilmore took center stage. Off the bench, Gilmore drained a cold-blooded three-pointer, turning to the increasingly vocal Montana fan section and signaling for them to quiet down with a finger over his mouth and three fingers raised. On the very next possession, he drew a charge, and then altered a shot attempt from Montana’s Te’Jon Sawyer. These back-to-back defensive efforts ignited an 8-0 Wisconsin run that expanded the lead to double digits — a margin the Badgers would never relinquish.
“It was huge, and that’s what good players do in those moments,” Montana head coach Travis DeCuire admitted postgame, recognizing Gilmore’s game-changing impact. Gilmore’s final stat line — eight points and multiple key defensive stops — understated his role in shifting momentum and energizing his team.
Wisconsin’s depth was on full display throughout the game. Five players scored in double figures, making it clear this is not a team reliant on just one or two stars. John Blackwell led the scoring effort with 19 points, and his smothering defense on Montana’s Money Williams kept the Grizzlies’ top scorer quiet, holding him to just eight points on 2-for-8 shooting.
Steven Crowl turned in an efficient performance with 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field. Guard John Tonje contributed 15 points, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, showing his poise in pressure situations. Xavier Amos and Nolan Winter added 11 and 10 points, respectively, rounding out a balanced and potent offensive attack.
Tonje, a second-team All-American and former Colorado State standout, emphasized the importance of spreading the scoring load, especially as the tournament progresses. “It’s huge,” he said. “Especially down the line in March when you’ve got tired legs or whatever, you can really rely on a deep roster full of talented guys.”
While Wisconsin shined, Montana faltered under the tournament spotlight. Despite entering the matchup with one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, the Grizzlies managed only 39% shooting from the field. Te’Jon Sawyer and Kai Johnson each scored 15 points to lead Montana, but their efforts were overshadowed by cold shooting and Wisconsin’s tight defensive schemes.
Montana’s head coach, Travis DeCuire, admitted postgame that his team was disrupted by Wisconsin’s defensive rotations and the Badgers’ ability to capitalize on momentum swings. “They made plays at key moments and didn’t give us a chance to build confidence in the second half,” DeCuire said.
The final minutes of the game carried extra drama for viewers with an eye on the betting lines. The spread was set at 16.5 points, and with Montana trailing by 19 in the closing moments, two open three-point attempts from Adam Shoff and Jeremiah Dargan could have changed the outcome for bettors. Both missed the rim entirely, and the Badgers secured not only the victory but also covered the spread — sending waves of excitement through Wisconsin fans and sportsbooks alike.
For head coach Greg Gard, the win was a significant milestone after last year’s early exit against James Madison. The victory also brings the Badgers one step closer to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016. Their next matchup in the East Region will be against the winner of VCU vs. BYU, setting the stage for what promises to be another high-stakes showdown.
This win is also a reminder of Wisconsin’s ability to balance seasoned leadership and youthful energy. Players like Gilmore, often overlooked, proved that everyone on the roster has the potential to make a difference. His key plays exemplified the “next man up” mentality that championship teams need during March Madness.
Wisconsin’s 55% shooting from the field and dominance on both ends of the floor showed that they are a team with both offensive firepower and defensive grit. For Montana, despite a strong regular season, the Grizzlies’ shooting woes and inability to adjust to Wisconsin’s defensive schemes ended their tournament hopes early.
As the Badgers look ahead, they do so with growing confidence. The balanced scoring, strong bench play, and clutch performances all signal that this team could make a serious run. For the fans in Madison and beyond, the victory over Montana was more than just a first-round win — it was a declaration that Wisconsin basketball is back in the national spotlight.
The question now: Can they sustain this energy and poise through the next rounds? With performances like Thursday’s — highlighted by both star players and role players stepping up in critical moments — the answer may well be yes.
Wisconsin Defeats Montana Wisconsin Defeats Montana
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