Wisconsin defeated the Crusaders 85-61 on college basketball’s opening night Monday. But only after overcoming a bad start and trailing at half.

Holy Cross, from Worcester, Massachusetts, hit nearly all their shots in the early part of the game and the Badgers looked awful all around. But Wisconsin increased their defensive pressure and dispatched the Crusaders in the second half behind 23 points from fifth-year transfer John Tonje and 16 from sophomore John Blackwell.

Photos by Ben Donahue.

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