MADISON, Wis. — The Badgers took to the court for their first regular-season game of the 2023-24 season with a matchup against Milwaukee, and won by a final score of 62-51.

Wisconsin got off to a quick offensive start, with Natalie Leuzinger and D'Yanis Jimenez draining back-to-back threes. The team led off on an 8-0 run, and kept the momentum going all throughout the first half. Serah Williams tallied a double-double in the 20 minutes, leading in scoring with 12 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3-6 FT) and 10 rebounds. The sophomore also drained her first-career three-pointer early in the first quarter. After missing the exhibition game against UW-Whitewater, Sania Copeland was back in action for the first regular-season game, and ended the first half second on the team in scoring with eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3FG). The Badgers led at half, 36-23

The second half got off to a slower start, but a three-pointer from Ronnie Porter got the offense rolling. Williams scored Wisconsin's next two points, and the third quarter was capped off by Porter driving to the basket with four seconds left to put the Badgers up 48-33. Milwaukee began the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run that trimmed Wisconsin's lead down to eight, but back-to-back layups from Copeland and Leuzinger got the Badgers back on track. UW made its way to the free throw line five times in the last two minutes of play, and solidified its victory over the Panthers. 

Wisconsin shot 40.0% (20-50) from the field, including 31.6% (6-19) from 3-point range. The Badgers shot 16-26% (61.5%) from the free-throw line

Milwaukee went 30.4% (17-56) from field-goal range, including 24.0% (6-25) from behind the arc. The Panthers were 64.7% (11-17) from the free-throw line. Kendall Nead led Milwaukee with 18 points (8-22 FG, 2-9 3FG) and was the only Panther to score in double digits. 

Notes to know

• Serah Williams began the season with a double-double, totaling 18 points (6-14 FG, 1-2 3FG, 5-10 FT) and 14 rebounds. 

• After missing the exhibition match on Oct. 29 against UW-Whitewater, Sania Copeland returned and scored 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 3FG) and added four assists and one rebound. 

• Ronnie Porter finished with seven points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. The sophomore tied her career-high in points, while earning career-highs in rebounds and steals. 

Up next

Wisconsin will face Western Illinois in their second game of the season on Thursday, Nov. 9. Tip off is 7 p.m. from the Kohl Center, streamed live on BTN+.