MADISON, Wis. —  The University of Wisconsin women's basketball team competed against No. 10 Iowa in its Big Ten opener and lost 102-71. 

Serah Williams logged a team-high 15-points (5-10 FG, 5-6 FT) and finished with three rebounds and two steals. The forward was three points shy of tying her career-high in points and was a consistent offensive force for the Badgers. Williams was accompanied by Sydney Hilliard, who recorded 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and two assists in her second game of the season.

Wisconsin started the game off strong and finished just five points behind Iowa in quarter one. Four Badgers finished the first 10 minutes with five points each, and the team forced three early Hawkeye turnovers. In the second quarter, UW had a tougher time scoring, while its opponent started to heat up on offense. Freshman Lily Krahn drained two 3-pointers, but  Wisconsin entered halftime trailing 57-34.

In the second half, Iowa continued to pull away and Wisconsin had trouble getting shots to land. The Hawkeyes maintained a consistent lead and while Wisconsin got within 15 points of Iowa early in the fourth quarter, it didn't get any closer than that.

Wisconsin shot 38.9% (21-54) from the field as well as 38.9% (7-18) from 3-point range. The Badgers nearly perfect from the free throw line, making 95.7% (22-23).

Iowa shot 62.9% (39-62) from field-goal range, including 52.2% (12-23) from three and 75.0% (12-16) from the free-throw line. Caitlin Clark notched a triple-double with 22 points (8-14 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-4FT), 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Straight from the Court

Head Coach Marisa Moseley

"I also told [Serah Williams] when she came out of the game that this is a taste of Big Ten basketball, but in two years she's gonna be in that same position, if not next year, to be a dominant post player. She's already dominating, but in a way that teams really can't stop her."

Senior guard Sydney Hilliard

"Just being aggressive, I think that is a major part of my game, is trying to get down hill as much as I can and if I don't have a shot being able to kick it out to our shooters. Just always looking to attack but being under control with that."

Notes to know

• Serah Williams scored a team-high 15 points (5-10 FG, 5-6 FT) while notching three rebounds, two steals and one block.

• In her second game back, Sydney Hilliard dropped 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT) and added three rebounds and two assists from off the bench.

• Wisconsin had its best free-throw shooting performance of the season, draining 95.7% (22-23). 

Up next

Wisconsin travels to play Nebraska on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The game will be played in Pinnacle Bank Arena and will be streamed on B1G+ at 7 p.m.