CHICAGO (AP) — John Blackwell scored a career-high 34 points with six 3-pointers and No. 23 Wisconsin hung on to beat Washington 85-82 in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday. Nick Boyd added 23 points with five 3-pointers while Andrew Rohde hit two free throws in the closing seconds to stretch it to a three-point game after the Badgers (23-9) let an 18-point lead in the second half shrink to one.

The Washington Huskies meet the Wisconsin Badgers in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday in Chicago, Illinois. Tip is 2:30 p.m. ET.

After Wisconsin took down Washington in the B1G Tournament, head coach Danny Sprinkle had high praise for a Badgers duo.

The Badgers needed a 34-point outing from John Blackwell to advance to meet the Fighting Illini. Wisconsin edged Washington, 85-84, in the third round as Blackwell also added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Wisconsin had a close call on Thursday afternoon, as they nearly blew an 18-point lead in the second half, struggling with defensive rebounding as Washington mounted a comeback and nearly won the game.