SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Josh Gasser, who missed last season with a knee injury, scored 19 points and No. 20 Wisconsin opened the season with an 86-75 victory over St. John’s on Friday night.
The Badgers, who had five players score in double figures, never trailed and took control with an early 11-2 run and then went 11 of 23 from 3-point range.
The game was played in the 3,250-seat Sanford Pentagon.
Sam Dekker had 16 points for Wisconsin, which opened away from home for the first time in eight years.
D’Angelo Harrison had 27 points for the Red Storm and JaKarr Sampson added 21 points and seven rebounds. St. John’s was outscored 33-6 from beyond the arc.
Wisconsin led by as many as 18 points in the first half. St. John’s got within 58-54 with about 8 minutes left before the Badgers hit consecutive 3-pointers in a span of 22 seconds.
