March Madness 2015: Wisconsin returns to Final Four after win over Arizona

LOS ANGELES - Wisconsin needed its stars to shine in Los Angeles and on Saturday night, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker did just that as the Badgers (35-3) defeated Arizona (34-4) for a 2nd straight year to earn a return trip to the Final Four.

Kaminsky, who had 28 points last year against the Wildcats, topped that performance with 29 points on the same 20 field goal attempts as last year. But while it was Kaminsky who gave the Badgers a lead after Arizona had the halftime advantage, Dekker closed the door, putting up 20 second-half points to finish with a career-high 27 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including 5-of-6 from long distance.

The Badgers were unconscious in the second half from deep, hitting 10-of-12 attempts en route to outscoring Arizona 55-45. Wisconsin’s 55-point half was the most for the Badgers all year and it came at the perfect time.

Although Arizona’s front line performed largely as expected, the Badgers kept freshman sensation Stanley Johnson in check. The Southern California native fouled out with over five minutes left after having just six points and two rebounds on 2-for-4 shooting.

Wisconsin now awaits the winner of Kentucky-Notre Dame, which is about to tip in Cleveland.