Jordan Taylor scored 17 points and Jared Berggren added 15 as No. 14 Wisconsin closed out its pre-conference slate with a 79-45 victory over visiting Mississippi Valley State on Friday.

Josh Gasser chipped in 11 points and Ryan Evans pulled down 11 rebounds for the Badgers (11-2), who open Big Ten play at Nebraska on Tuesday.

Wisconsin, which leads the nation in scoring defense, had no trouble shutting down the Delta Devils. The Badgers jumped out to a 21-5 lead in the first nine minutes and coasted into the break with a 39-22 edge.

A 10-0 run to open the second half ensured that Mississippi Valley would not be making a comeback.

Taylor’s three-point play with 4:53 left stretched it out to 73-36 before coach Bo Ryan emptied the bench.

The Delta Devils shot 29.2 percent from the floor, including 4-of-14 from beyond the arc, and committed 17 turnovers.

Paul Crosby and Terrence Joyner scored 14 points apiece for Mississippi Valley State (1-10), which has dropped six straight.