Badgers hold off Spartans

Brian Butch hit a career-high four 3-pointers as No. 10 Wisconsin used a late run to shake loose from No. 19 Michigan State for a 57-42 victory Thursday night at Madison, Wis.

It was the fifth straight victory for Wisconsin (24-4, 14-2 Big Ten). Michigan State (22-6, 10-5) has lost three of its last five, including three straight road games.

The big man’s big shots came at just the right time for the Badgers. Butch’s 3-pointer from the left wing put Wisconsin ahead 45-34 with just under six minutes left, and Butch hit another long-range shot at the 4:15 mark to extend the Badgers’ lead to 14, capping an 11-2 run.

(13) Louisville 90, (17) Notre Dame 85: At Louisville, Ky., David Padgett scored a season-high 26 points and Earl Clark added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Cardinals (23-6, 13-3 Big East) survived against the Irish (21-6, 11-4).

(14) Butler 66, Wright St. 61: At Indianapolis, Julian Betko scored a career-high 17 points, all in the first half, and the Bulldogs (26-3, 15-2) held off the Raiders (20-8, 13-5) to clinch the No. 1 seed in next week’s Horizon League tournament.

Women

(3) Tennessee 88, Florida 61: At Knoxville, Tenn., Candace Parker and Alex Fuller scored 18 points each and the Lady Vols (26-2, 12-1 Southeastern Conference) routed the Gators (16-12, 5-8).

Angie Bjorklund (University HS) had 14 points for the Vols.

(6) LSU 83, Arkansas 46: At Baton Rouge, La., Quianna Chaney scored 20 points and the Tigers (24-4, 13-0) clinched a share of the Southeastern Conference championship with a victory over the Razorbacks (17-11, 2-11).