Duke, Wisconsin tied at halftime of title game
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes scored eight points apiece and Wisconsin climbed out of a six-point hole to tie Duke 31-31 at halftime of Monday night's national championship game.
Star Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor was called for his first foul 1:49 into the half and checked out of the game after picking up No. 2 with 4:47 remaining.
The second foul led to a three-point play by Frank Kaminsky, giving Wisconsin a 24-23 lead. It capped a 7-0 Wisconsin run after Duke had taken a six-point lead, the biggest of the half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Okafor scored six points and fellow freshman Justise Winslow had seven points and three blocks but also was taken out after picking up two fouls.
The Blue Devils, seeking their fifth national title under Mike Krzyzewski, shot 50 percent in the half. They have won each of their games in this NCAA Tournament by double digits, including Saturday's 20-point victory over Michigan State in the Final Four.
Kaminsky had seven points for the Badgers, who shot below 39 percent but made four 3-pointers and committed just two fouls. Duke was called for seven.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wisconsin, after knocking off previously unbeaten Kentucky on Saturday night, is playing in the championship for the first time since winning its only title in 1941.