Madison, WI -- Alando Tucker poured in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds, as No. 23 Wisconsin used a huge run in the first half, on the way to a 72-43 pounding of Penn State at the Kohl Center.

Ray Nixon and Kammron Taylor each added 14 points and Michael Flowers scored 10 for the Badgers (15-4, 5-1 Big Ten), who snapped two-game skid. Wisconsin, which suffered one of its worst losses in recent memory over the weekend by tumbling at home versus little-known North Dakota State, shot 50 percent in the first half against the Nittany Lions.

Geary Claxton had 17 points to lead Penn State (10-7, 2-4), which has lost its last two contests. The Nittany Lions hit on 7-of-22 shots in the opening 20 minutes and ended at a 33.3 percent clip for the game. They also went to the foul line just four times, converting two chances.

Wisconsin hit on 13-of-34 three-point tries, including 4-of-7 from Tucker and 4-of-10 from Nixon.

A jumper by Claxton tied the game at 5-5, but Wisconsin scored the next 21 points over a near nine-minute span. The spurt included five three-pointers, including two from Tucker and Nixon. It became 26-5 when Nixon drilled a shot from long distance with 9:36 left in the half.

Penn State didn't break double digits until David Jackson's three-pointer brought his team within 32-12 with 5:16 remaining in the half. The Nittany Lions were behind 40-18 after 20 minutes.

A three-pointer by Cilk McSweeney had the Nittany Lions within 51-34 with 9 1/2 minutes to play, but Wisconsin scored the next nine points. Consecutive trey's by Taylor and Flowers capped the run.

Game Notes:

Penn State was 5-of-17 from three-point range...The Nittany Lions had nine assists and 18 turnovers...Wisconsin shot 39.3 percent for the game...Jamelle Cornley had eight rebounds for Penn State.