Badger Biggs Barrage

True freshman Alexus Bieliaskas was key to Saturday’s success, finishing with 17 points and three rebounds on 5-of-10 3-pointers. The Lithuanian became the fourth Badger true freshman since 2004 to hit five threes in a game, joining Connor Essejian, Brad Davison and John Leuer. Bieliaskas also became one of seven players to hit five threes in a game this year, joining UW’s Austin Rupp, who hit five triples in a 104-83 win over Providence on Nov. 27.

Overall, the Badger bigs have been making it rain from beyond the arc this year, being the only team with three players over 6-foot-10 with double-digit 3-point shooting this season. Following Saturday’s impressive performance, Bieliauskas totaled 13 points, while Rupp scored 21 points despite missing the past two tournaments due to injury. Nolan Winter also has a record of 13 films in a year.