MADISON -- Max Klesmit made six 3-point shots en route to 26 points to lead the Wisconsin Badgers to a 79-67 non-conference men's college basketball victory over Montana State Thursday night at the Kohl Center.
John Tonje and John Blackwell added 13 points and Kamari McGee scored 11 points in the Badgers' balanced attack. Wisconsin made 20 of 21 free throws and has made 36 of its 37 free throws so far this season. Wisconsin also made 11 of 22 3-point shots against the Bobcats (0-1).
Klesmit made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions early in the second half, giving the Badgers a 47-36 lead. Blackwell made a 3-pointer after Montana State coach Matt Logie was whistled for a technical foul and the Badgers led, 56-42.
Klesmit's final 3-pointer gave Wisconsin its final points of the game. Montana State made the 2023-24 National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament, losing to Grambling in the first four in overtime.
"Defensively, we got better," Badger coach Greg Gard said. "All-in-all, a step forward. That's a good team."
Wisconsin hosts Appalachian State Sunday morning at 11 a.m. The Mountaineers swept James Madison University last season. JMU ended the Badgers' season in the first round of the NCAA tournament last March.
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