MADISON, WI  (WNS)  -  The Wisconsin Badgers closed the first half on a 33-8 run while beating the cross-state rival Panthers of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday. Ryan Evans scored a season-high 19 points in the 74-53 victory at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin’s record improves to 8-4 in its 20th straight win over Milwaukee. The Panthers held an early 10-8 lead, but that’s when the Badgers took over. The return of senior leader Mike Bruesewitz was almost as important as the win for Wisconsin. He had been out of action for more than two weeks, but he joined the action off the bench during the first timeout called. Paris Gulley’s 16 points led the Panthers who have lost four games in a row. Milwaukee’s record is 3-10.