MADISON, WIS.- The Badgers fall in a close game to Rutgers as they hosted their Big Ten opener on Saturday.

Rutgers edged Wisconsin 64-61 after claiming the lead with just over a minute left in the game.

Wisconsin took charge at 6:20 in the first quarter, going on a 10-2 run. Rutgers managed to tie it up early in the second, and both teams went back and forth until Wisconsin regained it with 3:38 left in the first half. They led 32-26 at halftime.

The largest lead of the game belonged to the Badgers with 15 points in the third quarter. The fourth saw more back-and-forth between the teams for the lead but ultimately sided with Rutgers.

Imani Lewis recorded her ninth career double-double, fourth just this season alone, with 17 points and 12 rebounds. She also led the team in assists with four.

The Badgers were led in scoring by Abby Laszewski, who sunk 20 points and nabbed nine rebounds and three steals. She went 8-12 from the free-throw line. Also scoring in double digits was Sydney Hilliard. She scored 11 and grabbed seven rebounds.

Kendra Van Leeuwen had two assists and moved to seventh place in Wisconsin's record book for career assists with a total of 374.

Rutgers' leading scorer was Arella Guirantes, with 22 points. The Badgers managed to hold her to six points in the first half. She also led the Scarlet Knights in rebounds with 11 and steals with five. Next in scoring and rebounds was Tekia Mack with 17 points and seven rebounds. 

Despite the loss, the team is not viewing it as a setback. "We can't look at the negatives, it has got to be about focusing on the positives," Lewis said. "It's not the outcome we wanted, but if we figure out those negatives, we will be better moving forward."

Wisconsin travels to Purdue on New Year's Eve. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. The Badgers will then return home to host Penn State on Jan. 4 at 3 p.m.