PISCATAWAY, NJ. – Freshman Imani Lewis felt right at home Monday night in Rutgers Athletic Center, but unfortunately for the Badgers, so did the host Scarlet Knights. Lewis, who grew up just an hour south of the RAC in Willingboro, New Jersey, scored a game-high 18 points, but the Wisconsin women's basketball team fell to Rutgers, 73-53.
 
Wisconsin (13-15, 4-12 B1G) came out of the gates on a cold spell, shooting just 5-13 (38.5 percent) from the field with six turnovers in the opening quarter. Despite the start, the Badgers' defense kept them in the game, trailing by just six, 17-11.
 
The Rutgers (19-8, 11-5 B1G) full court press began to wear on UW in the second quarter. The Scarlet Knights out-scored the Badgers, 23-12, in the period to take a 40-23 halftime lead. 
 
In spite of numerous rallies from the Badgers in the third, the Knights extended their lead to 24, entering the fourth quarter.
 
In the fourth, Wisconsin clawed back to within 20 thanks to an eight-point final quarter effort from freshman Imani Lewis. However, Lewis' scoring was not enough. 
 
Lewis led the Badgers in scoring with 18 points (8-9 FTs) and three rebounds. Senior Marsha Howard followed closely behind with 16 points and six steals.  
 
UW shot 37.5 percent (18-48) from the field overall, while Rutgers finished 28-for-63 (44 percent). The Knights out-rebounded the Badgers, 41-30.
 
Notes to know 

• Senior Marsha Howard scored in double figures for her eighth-straight game, putting up 16 points and adding a team-high six rebounds. The 6-foot forward also recorded a personal best and game-high six steals.
• Freshman Imani Lewis played her first collegiate game in her home state of New Jersey, scoring a game-high 18 points. The 6-foot-1 forward made a career-best eight free throws, going 8-for-9 at the stripe.
• Wisconsin recorded a season-high 24 turnovers as Rutgers used a full-court press the entire game.
• Junior Abby Laszewski tied her career best with four blocks.
   

 
Straight from the Court
Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis
 
On biggest takeaway from tonight's game:
"I think we struggled handling the pressure, even at halftime we saw that the zone was effective when we made them play in the half court, but our turnovers led to their points. Turning it over 24 times and how we react to that, getting out-rebounded by 11, we were not able to capitalize on the turnovers we forced."
 
On tough shooting night:
"I think that was part of the pressure, the pressure of when you do break the press you have to make them pay. I think sometimes we got sped up, especially some of our younger kids of taking a quick shot too early." 
 
On Marsha Howard:
"I thought Marsha really battled for us obviously with six steals, she had to play against the press the whole time."

Up Next
The Badgers return to Madison for Senior night to take on Ohio State, Thursday at the Kohl Center. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT.