The Badgers huddle up on the court during a game.
Tom Lynn

Women's Basketball

Five things to know: Illinois

Badgers set for rematch at home

Women's Basketball

Five things to know: Illinois

Badgers set for rematch at home

Wisconsin

12-14, 3-11

Illinois

10-16, 2-13

Game Coverage

Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. | Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.

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MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women's basketball team (12-14, 3-11 BIG) returns to the Kohl Center Wednesday night in hopes to split the series with Illinois (10-15, 2-13) after the Fighting Illini took the first game a week ago. The game tips off at 7 p.m.

1. LAST TIME OUT:  The Badgers nearly erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but fell to Ohio State on the road in the final seconds, 70-68. UW went on a 16-5 run in the last three-and-a-half minutes, including three 3-pointers, to come within one point of the Buckeyes with five seconds to go (69-68). Following an OSU missed free throw, the Badgers got the ball back but were unable to get the last-second shot off.

2. MAKING HER MARK: Senior Marsha Howard became the 26th Badger to record 1,000 points in a career when she converted on a three-point play with 6:10 to play in the third quarter. The 6-foot forward finished with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds

3. THE GILREATH THREAT: Junior Suzanne Gilreath put up a season-high 19 points at Ohio State, shooting 5-9 from 3-point range. She now leads the Badgers with 33 3-pointers this season. Gilreath also shot a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line and hasn't missed a free throw (7-7) this season.

4. AGAINST ILLINOIS: Illinois broke the all-time series tie breaker against Wisconsin earlier this month after outscoring the Badgers, 78-68, in Champaign. The Fighting Illini now leads 37-36 over the Badgers. Home-court advantage stands true for the two teams as the Badgers lead the series in Madison, 23-11. UW prepares for rematch against Illinois in hopes of splitting the series and tying the all-time series back up.
 
5. SCOUTING THE FIGHTING ILLINI: Despite a hard-fought contest, the Illini fell to Michigan, 70-56, in a Sunday matchup. Illinois shot 100-percent (10-10) from the free-throw line, the third time this season the Illini were perfect from the charity stripe. UI also outrebounded Michigan, 30-28, including 13 offensive boards. Senior forward Alex Wittinger recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Courtney Joens and freshman Mackenzie Blazek also shot in double figures adding 10 points each.
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Players Mentioned

Suzanne Gilreath

#3 Suzanne Gilreath

G
5' 4"
Junior
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Marsha Howard

#11 Marsha Howard

F
6' 0"
Senior
Chicago, Ill.

Players Mentioned

Suzanne Gilreath

#3 Suzanne Gilreath

5' 4"
Junior
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
G
Marsha Howard

#11 Marsha Howard

6' 0"
Senior
Chicago, Ill.
F