MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (9-9, 2-6 B1G) defeated Minnesota (14-5, 4-4 B1G), 59-56, in its game Tuesday, Jan. 23 played inside the Kohl Center. Serah Williams delivered her fifth-consecutive double-double complete with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while also adding a block to land 10th all time in Wisconsin history.

Wisconsin wasted no time getting its offense started, with a couple of layups from Serah Williams and Sania Copeland to begin the contest. Natalie Leuzinger got in on the action with a triple, and a crafty Williams spin move under the basket brought the Badgers to a 9-2 lead. Williams was contributing early on both on offense and on defense, collecting her first block of the game, surpassing Theresa Huff on the all-time blocks list. The sophomore asserted herself at number 10 all-time with a total of 108 blocks nearing the end of quarter one. Wisconsin led 13-6 at the conclusion of the first ten minutes. 

Similar to the first, the Badger offense was initiated by Williams, who delivered her eighth point of the game to accompany her eight rebounds. Brooke Schramek delivered her second basket of the game, but the Gophers began to chip away at the Badgers' lead. Minnesota eventually took its first lead of the game with 4:54 remaining in the quarter, but freshman Tessa Grady was not ready to let the Gophers be up for long. Back-to-back threes put the Badgers back up five, 25-20, as the Badgers held firm in their commitment to protecting their home court. Wisconsin allowed Minnesota to lead for just 33 seconds of the half, and headed into the locker room up 26-24.

Copeland wasted no time resuming where UW had left off in the first, dropping a quick layup to get the offense started. Minnesota delivered two field goals of its own to tie up the contest at 30 apiece, but Ronnie Porter quickly shut them down with two-straight buckets. From there, Wisconsin went on a 9-0 run that was capped off with yet another three pointer from Grady. The freshman had no intentions of slowing down once the run was over, however, as she dropped yet another triple and earned her career-high in made-threes at four. Minnesota closed out the quarter on a 7-0 run, but Wisconsin remained in front, 42-39, with ten minutes to play. 

Porter was the first Badger to score in the fourth with a nice hook shot, but it was followed by four-straight Minnesota jumpers, putting them up by two. The unforgiving Williams was not ready to let up, and when Minnesota left her open behind the arc, she took it as an opportunity to drop the fourth three of her career, which she then followed up with another jumper. Grady wasn't content with her four threes and added an electric fifth on the night, tying her career-high in points with 15. The last minute of the game was a real nail-biter, with Minnesota narrowing Wisconsin's lead to just two points, but Wisconsin was relentless in its determination to win and pulled through with a 59-56.

Wisconsin shot 40.0% (22-55) from the field range, and 25.9% (7-27) from 3-point range. The Badgers shot 66.7% (8-12) from the free-throw line. Wisconsin out-rebounded Minnesota, 43-34.

Minnesota went 33.8% (23-68) from field-goal range, including 23.8% (5-21)  from behind the arc. The Golden Gophers were 83.3% (5-6)  from the free-throw line. 

Notes to know

• Serah Williams surpassed Theresa Huff on the Wisconsin all-time blocks list, asserting herself at number 10 with a total of 107 blocks.
• Williams delivered her fifth-straight double-double (24 points, 15 rebounds), the eighth time she has reached the mark this season.
• Freshman Tessa Grady delivered five threes, securing a career-high in three-pointers made while also tying her career-high in points with 15.
• Wisconsin notched its third-straight victory against Minnesota dating back to Jan. 23, 2023.
• This season, the Wisconsin women's basketball, men's basketball, football, volleyball, and men's and women's hockey teams have all defeated Minnesota.

Up next

Wisconsin remains at home as it hosts Rutgers on Saturday, Jan. 27 inside the Kohl Center. The game can be streamed on B1G+ or listened to on 1070 WTSO-AM.