Omaha, NE -- (Sports Network) - Brian Butch posted 14 points to lead three-seed Wisconsin over Cal State Fullerton, 71-56, in first round action from the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Joe Krabbenhoft and Jason Bohannon registered 13 points each for the Badgers (30-4), who needed a strong second half to pull away from the Big West tourney champions. Wisconsin advances to face 11th-seeded Kansas State in the second round on Saturday.

Josh Akognon poured in a game-high 31 points for the Titans (24-9), whose first Tournament appearance since 1978 ended quickly. Frank Robinson was the only other player to finish in double figures, scoring 11 points before fouling out.

"They have big strong guys and they're Big Ten champs, said Titans head coach Bob Burton. "I was happy with the experience that we got. That was terrific. I just wish we could have played a little bit better."

Wisconsin began the second half with seven of the first 10 points to go up 37-31 on a deuce by Butch. The run eventually reached 15-3 on an easy lay-in by Krabbenhoft with 12:24 to play which gave the Badgers an 11-point edge.

Akognon kept hitting his shots from virtually everywhere on the court to keep his team within striking distance, as he posted 13 of his team's points in succession, ending with a long three to get the Titans within 62-54 with 3:49 remaining.

However, Wisconsin reeled off the next six points to move ahead by 14 on a Marcus Landry dunk with 1:26 left and the Titans were finally put away.

"We weren't taken aback at all. This is the NCAA tournament," Butch said when asked if he was surprised by the Titans' fight. "You expect everything. It's win or go home. We knew they were a heck of a team when we got here and they fought us hard and they continued to fight us hard the entire game."

A trey by Akognon boosted the Titans to an early 13-8 edge, but the Badgers turned around with a 9-3 burst, assuming their first lead, 17-16, on a Butch layup with 11:21 to play in the half.

Wisconsin's run reached 13-2 when Krabbenhoft sank a jumper and Landry made two from the line for a 26-18 game with 6:12 left. However, CSF struck back with a 10-2 run of their own to tie the game, 28-28, on Akognon's jumper with 35 seconds to play.

Greg Stiemsma's third-chance tip-in as time wound down put the Badgers up by two at the break.

Game Notes:

This was the first meeting between the schools...Landry led all players with 12 rebounds...The Badgers posted 50 rebounds to 27 for the Titans, including a 32-20 edge in defensive boards...Wisconsin shot just 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the floor to 36.2 percent (21-of-58) for Cal State Fullerton.