La Crosse’s Davis named Maui Invite MVP, scores 20 in leading Badgers to championship

Another 20 points from Johnny Davis in helping the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team get a 61-55 win over previously unbeaten Saint Mary’s and Maui Invitational championship.

The Badgers were down 31-25 at halftime to SMU (6-1) and it wasn’t until Davis made the below 3-pointer with 4:54 remaining that they took a second-half lead, 48-46. Wisconsin (5-1) never gave it back.

Tyler Wahl and Davis pushed the lead to 54-50 with 2:07 to go. SMU cut it to one right after, but never could get a tie or retake the lead.

Davis was 7 of 17 from the field, 5-for-5 from the line and 1 of 1 from deep.

The La Crosse native, who’s had his three highest scoring totals in his past three games, added seven rebounds, an assist, a steal and three turnovers in 32 minutes.

The Badgers are unbeaten when Davis is in the lineup. He missed the Providence loss with a bruised heel.

The 6-foot-5 guard was coming off back-to-back games in which he set, among other career marks, career highs in scoring with 30 points and 21 points.

Davis has scored in double figures in all four games this season. He scored in double figures nine times last season but never in two consecutive contests.