Photo by: Jack McLaughlin
This week in Badger Women's Basketball: Dec. 26 - Jan. 1
December 29, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Wisconsin opens Big Ten season at home
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Wisconsin (5-8 overall, 0-0 B1G) open the Big Ten Conference season on Jan. 1 with a home game vs. Michigan (12-3, 1-0). Tip time is 2 p.m. from the Kohl Center.
   The Badgers are 14-20 in Big Ten openers, including a 10-9 mark at home. UW has won their last three conference openers, including two straight at home.
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QUICK NOTES
- UW has won two of its last three games, including a 54-53 win at Green Bay on Dec. 15. The Badgers rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter to come from behind and defeat the Phoenix in Green Bay for the first timesince 2008. Â
- Freshman Suzanne Gilreath scored 15 points in the second half against the Phoenix, shooting 5-8 from 3-point range, including 3-4 in the fourth quarter alone. The 5-4 guard finished with a team-high 17 points.
- Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson scored the game-winning shot with 17 seconds on the clock before the Badgers held off two late shots by the Phoenix.
- In the last two games, Wisconsin has outscored its opponents 43-26 (21.5 - 13) in the third quarter. The Badgers outscored Marquette 25-15 and Green Bay 18-11.Â
- The Badger bench has outscored its opponents by nearly eight points per game this season. Wisconsin has outperformed foes 292-214 (24.3 - 17.8) off the bench, outscoring all but two opponents.
- Wisconsin has shot better from field-goal range and 3-point range than its last three opponents. UW is shooting 49.7 percent (89-179) from the field while foes are hitting 34.6 percent (64-185). The Badgers are also shooting 42.9 percent (24-56) from behind the arc.
- Junior Cayla McMorris leads the Badgers with 15.7 points per game this season, which ranks 14th in the Big Ten. The 6-0 guard has scored in double figures in 12 of 13 games this season.
- Rookie Suzanne Gilreath has scored in double figures in five of the last six games, including a career-high 21 points against MVSU on Dec. 8. The 5-4 guard is averaging 12.8 points per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field over the stretch, including 47.7 percent (21-44) from 3-point range.
- Redshirt sophomore Ashley Kelsick will be eligible to play against Michigan. The 5-7 point guard played the 2014-15 season at Boston College. She started 24 games for the Eagles, averaging 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
- Sophomore Marsha Howard ranks sixth in the Big Ten with a field goal percentage of 57.9 (44-76). She shot a career-high 71.4 percent (10-14) vs. Marquette on Dec. 11.
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UW has won two of its last three games, including a 54-53 win at Green Bay on Dec. 15. The Badgers rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Phoenix in Green Bay for the first time since 2008. Â
Wisconsin outscored Green Bay 18-11 in the third quarter to take a 37-36 lead at the end of the period and held on for the one-point win.
    Freshman Suzanne Gilreath scored 15 points in the second half against the Phoenix, shooting 5-8 from 3-point range, including 3-4 in the fourth quarter alone. The 5-4 guard finished with a team-high 17 points.
    Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson scored the game-winning shot with 17 seconds on the clock before the Badgers held off two late shots by the Phoenix.
THIRD QUARTER ADVANTAGE
Over the last two games, Wisconsin has outscored its opponents 43-26 (21.5 - 13) in the third quarter. The Badgers outscored Marquette 25-15 and Green Bay 18-11. Â
    On the season, UW is outscoring foes 227-212 in the third quarter. Wisconsin is also outscoring opponents 214-203 in the first period.
BADGER BENCH SCORES
The Badger bench has outscored its opponents by nearly eight points per game this season. Wisconsin has outperformed foes 292-214 (24.3 - 17.8) off the bench, outscoring all but two opponents. UW's bench has outscored one opponent by 20-plus points (North Carolina +24) and six opponents by 10-or-more points.
    Freshman Suzanne Gilreath comes off the bench to score 6.0 points per game while freshman Gabby Gregory adds 4.5 points per game.
SHOOTING BETTER THAN FOES
Wisconsin has shot better from field-goal range and 3-point range than its last three opponents. Over the stretch, UW is shooting 49.7 percent (89-179) from the field while foes are hitting 34.6 percent (64-185). The Badgers are also shooting 42.9 percent (24-56) from behind the arc while opponents are hitting 31 percent (22-71).
    UW shot 59.2 percent (42-71) from the field against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8, which ranks seventh on the school single-game record list. The Badgers followed that up by shooting 49.2 percent (29-59) from the field, its second-highest field goal percentage of the season, against Marquette on Dec. 11.
    Over the last three games, freshman Suzanne Gilreath leads the team with 16.7 points per game while shooting 56.3 percent (18-32) from the field. The 5-4 guard also shoots a team-best 56 percent (14-25) from 3-point range. Junior Cayla McMorris adds 15.7 points per game and sophomore Marsha Howard chips in 10.7 points per game while shooting a team-best 75 percent (15-20) from the field.
HITTING FROM 3!
UW made a season-high nine 3-pointers at Green Bay on Dec. 15, the second time in the last three games that it has hit nine triples. The Badgers also made nine 3-pointers against MVSU on Dec. 8, shooting 50 percent (9-18) from behind the arc. Wisconsin is averaging 8.0 triples per game the last three contests. On the season, the Badgers average 5.2 3-pointers per game.
  Freshman Suzanne Gilreath leads the team with 14 triples over the last three games while shooting 56 percent (14-25) from behind the arc. On the year, the 5-4 guard leads the team and ties for 15th in the Big Ten, shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range. She also ties for 13th in the Big Ten with 1.6 triples per game.
MCBUCKETS SCORES
Junior Cayla McMorris leads the Badgers with 15.7 points per game this season, which ranks 14th in the Big Ten. The 6-0 guard has scored in double figures in 12 of 13 games this season.
    McMorris has tallied 20-plus points in four games this year, including a career-high 31 points against Saint Francis on Nov. 13. She also takes and makes the most free throws on the team, shooting 67-85 (.788) from the line, which ties for 12th in the Big Ten. McMorris ranks sixth nationally in free-throws made and 10th nationally in free-throw attempts. The junior also ranks fourth on the team with 4.1 rebounds per game. McMorris tied her career high with 10 boards at Milwaukee on Nov. 22, picking up her first career double-double as she added 11 points.
GILREATH FOR THREE
Rookie Suzanne Gilreath has scored in double figures in five of the last six games, including a career-high 21 points against MVSU on Dec. 8. The 5-4 guard is averaging 12.8 points per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field over the stretch, including 47.7 percent (21-44) from 3-point range.
   Gilreath leads the team with 21 triples, shooting 38.9 percent from behind the arc. All of her 3-pointers have come in the last six games where she is shooting 47.7 percent (21-44) from deep. She started the season going 0-12 from 3-point range. On the season, Gilreath ranks sixth on the team with 6.0 points per game.
ON THE ASSIST
The Badgers have been dishing off the ball the last seven games, averaging 15.1 assists per game over the span. UW has 106 of its 163 season assists over the last seven contests. Freshman Kendra Van Leeuwen leads the team with 34 assists (4.9/game) over the last seven games. The 5-10 guard had a career-high 10 assists against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8.
  On the season, Van Leeuwen leads the Badgers with 3.8 assists per game (50 total), which ranks 13th in the Big Ten. Freshman Courtney Fredrickson and redshirt sophomore Roichelle Marble rank second and thirds, respectively, on the team with 22 and 21 helpers. Marble tied her career high with four assists at Green Bay on Dec. 15, the second time this season she has tied her career best.
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Badgers lead the Big Ten and rank second nationally with 309 free-throw attempts. UW also ranks 13th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in free-throws made (190). Wisconsin has struggled to make its free throws this season, ranking 13th in the Big Ten at 61.5 percent on the season. UW has gotten to free-throw line more than their opponents in eight games this season, while tying two foes. UW is 190-309 (61.5 percent) from the charity stripe while foes are 173-242 (71.5 percent).
    Junior Cayla McMorris ties for 12th in the Big Ten, shooting 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. She drained a career-high 10 free throws off of a career-best 12 free-throw attempts against Butler on Nov. 20.
MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA
Sophomore Marsha Howard ranks eighth in the Big Ten with a field goal percentage of 57.9 (44-76). She shot a career-high 71.4 percent (10-14) vs. Marquette on Dec. 11. The 5-10 forward has scored in double figures in three games this season, including a career-high 20 points against the Golden Eagles on Dec. 11.
    On the year, Howard ranks third on the team with 7.6 points per game. She is also second with 4.9 rebounds per game. The sophomore has improved her play across the board from her freshman year.
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| Â 2016-17 | Â 2015-16 | Â +/- | |
| Â 7.6 | Â PPG | Â 2.1 | Â +5.5 |
| .579 | Â FG % | Â .341 | Â +.235 |
| Â 4.9 | Â RPG | Â 2.5 | Â +2.4 |
| Â 0.7 | Â APG | Â 0.1 | Â +0.6 |
| Â 1.1 | Â SPG | Â 0.5 | Â +0.6 |
| Â 0.7 | Â BPG | Â 0.3 | Â +0.4 |
JOHNSON STARTS, NETS CAREER HIGH
Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson started her first game as a Badger against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8, recording a career high 18 points. The 6-4 post shot a career-best 9-10 from the field against the Devilettes. She also added a season-high three blocks and two steals. Johnson has started the last three games, averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
    On the year, she ranks sixth on the team with 5.1 points per game and sixth with 3.9 rebounds per game. Johnson also ranks second on the team with 10 blocks, averaging 0.78 per game.
TAKE THAT BALL AWAY
In their last five games, Wisconsin has nearly half of their total season steals (104). The Badgers have 47 steals over the last five contests, averaging 9.4 steals per game. UW had 13 takeaways against Idaho State on Dec. 6 and a season-high 14 steals against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 6.
    Freshman Kendra Van Leeuwen recorded six steals against MVSU, just two short of the all-time freshman record for single-game steals. She has 13 steals over the last five games, averaging 2.6 takeaways per game.
   On the season, Van Leeuwen leads the team with 20 steals, averaging 1.5 per game. Junior Cayla McMorris and sophomore Marsha Howard both add 14 steals (1.1/game). Freshman Courtney Fredrickson adds 12 steals (0.9/game).
BLOCK THAT BALL
Wisconsin had a season-high eight blocks against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8 and has upped its season blocks to 3.1/game. Over the last five contests, UW is averaging 4.6 blocks per game. Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson has eight blocks over the stretch, averaging 1.6 per game. Redshirt senior Kendall Shaw adds six blocks (1.2/game).
    On the year, Shaw leads the team with 11 stuffs (0.9/game) while Johnson adds 10 stops (0.8/game).
REBOUNDING BADGERS
The Badgers have outrebounded six opponents this season and rank sixth nationally with 551 total rebounds. Wisconsin averages 42.4 boards per game, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten.
    Redshirt senior Avyanna Young leads the team and ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 8.4 rebounds per game. Four other Badgers add nearly 4.0 or more rebounds per game—Marsha Howard (4.9), Courtney Fredrickson (4.5), Cayla McMorris (4.1) and Kendra Van Leeuwen (3.9).
FRESHMEN MAKE BIG CONTRIBUTIONS
Wisconsin's freshmen are making big contributions this season.
- Point guard Kendra Van Leeuwen has started all 13 games and leads the team with 50 assists, averaging 3.9 per game. The 5-10 freshman adds 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game and also has a team-best 1.5 steals per game.
- Wing Courtney Fredrickson has started 10 games, ranking fourth on the team with 6.2 points and third with 4.5 rebounds per game. She ranks second on the team with 22 assists (1.7/game).
- Guard Suzanne Gilreath is the top 3-point shooter on the team, hitting 21-54 (.389) from deep. She ranks fifth on the team with 6.0 points per game.
- Guard Gabby Gregory has played in all 13 games, averaging 4.5 points per game. She is third on the team with 12 triples.
- Post Abby Laszewski has played in 10 games, missing the first two games of the season with injury. She averages 1.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
STRUGGLING WITH TURNOVERS
UW has been struggling with turnovers this season, averaging 19.5 on the year. The Badgers rank 12th in the Big Ten in turnover margin (-2.1) and 14th in turnovers per game. Wisconsin is 14th in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio at 0.6.
    Wisconsin had a season-low 12 turnovers against Illinois State on Dec. 4. The Badgers are averaging 17.1 turnovers per game over the last seven contests. Wisconsin has had 20-or-more giveaways in five games this season, including a season-high 31 vs. Ole Miss on Nov. 26.
COUNTING DOWN
Two Badgers are counting down to career milestones.
- Redshirt senior Kendall Shaw needs four points for 200 in her career.
- Head coach Jonathan Tsipis is three wins away from reaching 100 career wins.
I GOT THAT!
Three Badgers picked up career milestones at Green Bay on Dec. 15.
- Sophomore Marsha Howard had five rebounds against the Phoenix to go over 100 boards for her career. The 5-10 forward has 103 rebounds as a sophomore.
- Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson scored four points at Green Bay to earn 200 points for her career. The 6-4 post has 202 points in her third season. Â
- Redshirt sophomore Roichelle Marble picked up career point No. 100 at Green Bay. She has 101 points in her sophomore season.
HITTING THE 100 MARK
Wisconsin has two 100-point games this season, marking the first time since 2000-01 that UW has scored more 100-plus points twice in a season. The record for most 100-plus point games in a season is three in 1990-91.
    The Badgers scored 100 points against Saint Francis on Nov. 13 and 103 points vs. Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8. It is just the 18th and 19th times in program history that UW has scored 100-or-more points in a game.
    The Badgers fell to Saint Francis 103-100, combined for the most points by two teams in program history, besting the previous mark of 202 points (W, 123-79) set vs. Bradley on Dec. 5, 1982. Five players notched double-figure points in the 103-61 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8.
CAREER SEASONS
Seven Badgers are on track to have their best years yet.
- Sophomore Marsha Howard is averaging a career-best 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. She also has nine assists after having only two hand-offs her freshman season. She also has nine blocks and 14 steals after having four and seven, respectively, as a freshman. The 5-10 forward is also shooting a season-best 57.9 percent.
- Redshirt junior Malayna Johnson is averaging a season-best 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting a season-best 61 percent from the field.
- Senior Taylor Kuhn has started her first three games in the Cardinal and White this season. She is also averaging a season-best 0.3 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. The 5-10 guard has handed off her first two assists this year as well.
- Junior Cayla McMorris is averaging a season-best 15.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. The guard is also hitting a season-best 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. McMorris also has 14 steals this season, equaling her total takeaways from her sophomore season.
- Redshirt sophomore Lexy Richardson is averaging a season-best 0.4 rebounds per game. She is also shooting a season-best 25 percent from the field, including 33 percent from 3-point range. Â
- Redshirt senior Kendall Shaw is averaging a season-best 3.7 rebounds per game. She also has a season-best eight assists.
- Redshirt senior Avyanna Young is averaging a season-best 8.4 rebounds per game. She is shooting a season-best 58.1 percent from the free-throw line.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Michigan
The Wolverines (12-3, 1-0) opened the Big Ten season with a 63-50 win at home over Rutgers on Wednesday, marking UM's first win over the Scarlet Knights. Michigan outscored Rutgers 17-6 in the third quarter, turning a one-point halftime lead into a 12-point advantage after the third quarter.
    Freshman Kysre Gondrezick led all scorers with 18 points in her first career start, and Katelynn Flaherty (13), Jillian Dunston (11) and Hallie Thome (10) also scored in double figures.
    Junior Katelynn Flaherty, a 5-7 guards, has scored in double figures in 14 games and has recorded seven 20-point games this season. With five more points, Flaherty will move into the top five all-time at Michigan in scoring. Stacey Thomas is currently No. 5 with 1,556 points. Senior Siera Thompson, a 5-7 guard, is one rebound away from becoming the first player in school history with 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a career. She will also join Jenny Ryan as the only Wolverines to play 4,000 minutes in a career with 12 more minutes.
    Michigan has three players scoring in double figures on the year in Katelynn Flaherty (18.5 ppg), Kysre Gondrezick (13.2 ppg) and Hallie Thome (13.1 ppg). Siera Thompson is chipping in 9.6 points per game.
    Michigan has topped 100 points three times this season and is fourth in the Big Ten in scoring (79.8 ppg), but the defense has put forth an impressive effort as well. U-M is allowing just 53.3 points per game (1st in B1G). The Wolverines are second in three-point field goal percentage defense (27.2) and third in field goal percentage defense (35.3) in the conference.
    Head coach Kim Barnes Arico is in her fifth season in Ann Arbor and already holds the distinction of the first head coach to record four straight 20-win seasons. She has 95 wins now in Ann Arbor and has moved into second place on the all-time list at U-M. Her .620 winning percentage is tops by a Michigan women's basketball coach and with five more wins, she will become only the second coach in program history with 100 victories at Michigan.
    Junior Katelynn Flaherty, tabbed No. 25 on ESPNW's Top 25 Players List, was named to four national watch lists this season. Flaherty has picked up right where she left off last year, averaging 18.5 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting from the floor and 39.4 percent from three-point range. She has scored in double figures in 14 games and topped 20 points seven times. She now has 1,551 points in her career. Flaherty ranks sixth all-time at Michigan and reached the 1,500-point mark faster than anyone in school history. With five more points, she will move into the top five at Michigan in career scoring.
vs. Michigan
Wisconsin leads: 40-24
In Madison: Wisconsin leads 22-8
The streak: The Wolverines have four out of the last five games.
In 2015-16: Both teams won their home games in 2015-16. UW defeated Michigan 63-53 in Madison on Dec. 28, 2015, while the Wolverines won 82-65 in Ann Arbor on Feb. 11.
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