CANCUN, Mexico – The Wisconsin women's basketball team (6-2) secured a 66-57 victory over the Providence Friars (3-5) in the second game of the Cancun Challenge.

With the win, the Badgers have matched their best start to a season since the 2018–19 campaign.

Carter McCray was the standout performer, posting a season-high 19 points. She finished a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and added 3-for-4 shooting from the free-throw line.

Natalie Leuzinger also delivered a flawless performance at the charity stripe, going 8-for-8.

As a team, Wisconsin shot 42.6% (23-54) from the field, 45.0% (9-20) from beyond the arc, and 84.6% (11-13) from the free-throw line.

On the defensive end, the Badgers stifled Providence's long-range shooting, limiting them to just 15.4% (2-13) from three-point range, while holding them to 46.4% (26-56) overall.

How it Happened
Serah Williams set the tone right from the start with a block on the game's opening play, sparking momentum for the Badgers to claim an early lead. However, Providence quickly found rhythm and closed the first quarter with a 17-11 advantage. 

Carter McCray proved dominant in the paint, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the first half, marking a new season high. By halftime, the score was tight at 26-25 in favor of Providence. Despite trailing, the Badgers had out-rebounded the Friars 18-14.

Back-to-back baskets by the Badgers quickly evened the score at 30 early in the second half. McCray continued to shine, finishing another layup to pass her previous season-high in scoring (15 pts.). A few minutes later, the team went on a 8-0 run, regaining the lead and shifting the momentum in their favor. The Badgers won the quarter, posting a 44-40 advantage. 

Williams kicked off the final 10 minutes with an and-one play, followed by Natalie Leuzinger hitting a three-pointer to extend the Badgers' lead. McCray continued to dominate, adding another layup, maintaining a 100% field goal percentage for the game. In the final two minutes, Leuzinger went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, sealing the win for Wisconsin, 66-57.

Up Next
Wisconsin will face Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the third and final game of the Cancun Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CT. The game will be available to stream on FloCollege and broadcast on 1070 AM and the iHeart Radio app.