MADISON, Wis. —  The Wisconsin women's basketball team (6-4, 0-1 B1G) wraps up its non-conference schedule at home against Eastern Illinois (3-9, 0-0 OVC) on Thursday, Dec. 21. The game tips-off at 6:30 p.m., streaming on Big Ten Plus with a radio broadcast on 1070 WTSO-AM. 

Here are five things to know before the Badgers matchup against the Panthers.

1. JIMENEZ FOR B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: D'Yanis Jimenez claimed Big Ten Freshman of the Week after her 20-point performance against St. Thomas. Averaging 10.7 points per game this season, she has notched double-figure scoring in 3 of the last 5 games. Jimenez leads the Badgers shooting 75.8 percent from the free-throw line (12th in the Big Ten). She has shot a perfect 100 percent at the line in four games this season.

2. ROAD TO 600: Sophomore forward Serah Williams leads the team in points, averaging 16.1 ppg - which is 10th in the B1G. She is also the B1G leader in blocks, tallying an average of 2.9/game.

Williams is on track to surpass 600 points this season, with 556 points in her career thus far.

3. DEFENSE LIVES HERE: Wisconsin has made big strides on the defensive end of the floor this season. After allowing 72.6 ppg a year ago, the Badgers are holding opponents to just 63.4 ppg in 2023-24. 

UW has also been stifling shooters, sitting second in the Big Ten in opponent field goal percentage at 36.1%, down from 43.0% a year ago.

4. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers traveled to St. Paul, Minn. to face St. Thomas. Wisconsin came out victorious, 78-55, bringing its all-time series total to 3-0.

Three Badgers claimed double-digit scoring with Brooke Schramek, Jimenez, and Williams contributing 56 of the teams' 78 points. The majority of scoring came from in the paint, outshooting the Tommies 38-22. UW also went 17-23 at the charity stripe.

 5. SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: The Badgers will play Eastern Illinois for the fourth time in Madison. The Panthers are 3-9 on the campaign, securing wins against Chicago State, Valparaiso, and Bradley. 

The Panthers average 62.3 ppg; seeing their strength at the free throw line, where they boast a shooting percentage of 72.8. Macy McGlone leads the team in points, averaging 15.8 ppg (3rd in the OVC). McGlone also leads the team and the OVC in rebounds, grabbing an average of 10.9/game.