The University of Wisconsin-Madison women’s basketball team (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) kicked off their season with a commanding 72-41 exhibition win over UW-Stevens Point at the Kohl Center Tuesday, Oct. 29 . This was the first exhibition game in the venue with fans in attendance, and the crowd’s energy set the tone for a dominant defensive performance by the Badgers.
Junior forward Serah Williams was unstoppable, leading Wisconsin with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, seven rebounds, and an impressive seven blocks in just 23 minutes. Freshman wing Jovana Spasovski added 11 points, while senior guard Natalie Leuzinger and sophomore forward Carter McCray contributed 10 points each. Graduate guard Halle Douglass filled the stat sheet, tallying four assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a well-rounded effort.
Despite two early turnovers that gave UW-Stevens Point a spark, the Badgers quickly settled into their game plan. Williams opened the scoring with a strong drive to the basket, followed by an and-1 conversion, setting the tone for a night where she would dominate inside. Early offensive struggles forced Wisconsin to rely heavily on Williams in the post, earning frequent trips to the free-throw line.
The Badgers’ defense then took over. Spasovski’s steal plus-and-1 score gave Wisconsin their first lead at 12-11, and guard Ronnie Porter energized the team with two steals and quick scores. After Williams’ second block of the night, the Badgers closed the first quarter with a 16-11 lead.
The second quarter saw Wisconsin extend their advantage through ball movement and team play. Williams continued to assert herself in the paint, and Porter’s relentless defense led to yet another steal and score. While UW-Stevens Point struggled offensively, a deep contested three-pointer by Karissa Smith provided a brief spark for the visitors. Wisconsin’s passing allowed for easy baskets inside, though Stevens Point hit two late threes to keep the game within reach at halftime, with the Badgers leading 34-22.
In the third quarter, the Badgers wasted no time, with Spasovski opening the scoring and Williams continuing to dominate on both ends. Douglass came off the bench and immediately made her presence felt, scoring an and-1 and dishing out beautiful assists. By the end of the third, Wisconsin had a comfortable 58-36 lead, thanks to Williams’ dominance on the offensive glass and two consecutive blocks.
The final quarter saw more of the same from Wisconsin. Williams’ block led to a three-pointer by Leuzinger, and both teams emptied their benches with three minutes remaining. The Badgers cruised to a 72-41 win to cap off the night.
Despite their dominant performance, the Badgers struggled in key areas. They shot just 4-of-24, or 16.7% from beyond the arc and hit only 48.3% of their free throws, 14-of-29. However, Wisconsin’s defense more than made up for the offensive woes, with Williams leading the charge and proving to be a force on both ends of the court.
The Badgers will officially open their season next Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Kohl Center against the Wright State Raiders at 6:30 p.m.
