DENVER — BYU withstood a ferocious charge from Wisconsin’s John Tonje to hold off the Badgers for a 91-89 victory Saturday that sends the program to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011 — the days of Jimmer Fredette, who was also a former Knick.

Tonje finished with 37 points, including eight during a desparate comeback down the stretch.

But trailing by two, he shot a fadeaway air ball just before the buzzer that allowed the Cougars to escape.

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Tonje was the first player to crack 30 points this year in March Madness.

Richie Saunders scored 25 for the sixth-seeded Cougars.

BYU will play Alabama or St. Mary’s next Thursday in Newark at the East Regional.