The Wisconsin Badgers bounced back nicely after their heartbreaking loss to Kansas with a close victory over the USC Trojans 64-59 Friday afternoon. 

The offense of the Badgers came to play right away as Chucky Hepburn had a hand in 11 of the first 13 points Wisconsin scored in the game. USC was right with the Badgers the whole game, as Wisconsin never had a lead bigger than 5 points throughout the whole game. After some strong play from Jordan Davis and Isaac Lindsey before the break, the Badgers went into halftime leading by two, 36-24. 

The Trojans came out strong in the second half, leading by as much as seven points at one point. Connor Essegian kept Wisconsin in the game throughout the second half, as he and Chucky Hepburn would be key for matching runs against the Trojans offense. Hepburn would hit the dagger with 1:07 remaining to play and the Badgers would finish 3rd in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in Nassau. 

Hepburn finished the game with 17 points, alongside Tyler Wahl with 14 points and sharpshooting freshman Connor Essegian put in 12 points on four threes as well. For the Trojans, Drew Peterson led the way with 17 points, and star point guard Boogie Ellis would add 15 himself. 

Wisconsin will travel home from the Bahamas to take on Wake Forest at the Kohl Center on Thursday for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.