By Chris Jenkins
Associated PressMADISON, Wis. ó Gary Johnson banked in a jump shot with 23.5 seconds left to lead No. 9 Texas to a 74-69 victory over Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
A.J. Abrams scored 21 points to pace the Longhorns (10-2). They rebounded from a loss to another traditional Big Ten power, Michigan State, and won their first true road game of the season after an early schedule that included five neutral-site games.
Damion James added 18 points and 15 boards for Texas.
It was a rare loss at the Kohl Center for the Badgers (9-3). They are 113-8 at home in seven-plus seasons under coach Bo Ryan ó including 58-5 in nonconference games.
Marcus Landry scored inside to narrow Texas’ lead to one with 1:23 left, and Abrams missed a jumper. James grabbed the rebound, and the Longhorns ran the clock down before Johnson banked in a jumper.
With Wisconsin needing a 3-pointer to tie, James blocked Trevon Hughes’ shot in the lane.
Texas outrebounded Wisconsin 40-25, and the Badgers had an uncharacteristically bad night shooting 67 percent from the free throw line. But the Badgers kept pace with a more athletic Texas team with hot 3-point shooting. Wisconsin shot 47 percent from beyond the arc, while Texas struggled at 19 percent.
James leaped to tip in a long 3-point attempt by Varez Ward at the halftime buzzer to give Texas a 39-37 lead.
Wisconsin stuck close until the end, but was unable to duplicate last season’s thrilling victory in Austin.
The Badgers upset the Longhorns 67-66 after Michael Flowers hit a 3-pointer to take the lead with 2.7 seconds left, then stole the inbounds pass to seal the victory.
Flowers, a senior last season, returned to attend Tuesday’s game.
Texas lost 67-63 to Michigan State of the Big Ten in Houston on Saturday.