PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (12-12, 5-9 B1G) defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-20, 2-13 B1G), 61-43, Saturday, Feb. 17 inside Jersey Mike's Arena. For the second time this season, the Badgers outlasted the Knights, courtesy of four Badgers scoring in double digits. 

Wisconsin came out hot on offense, with four of five starters scoring a basket in the first 1:47 of the contest. The game's scoring was initiated by a Serah Williams block from which Ronnie Porter was able to retrieve the ball and run a fast break. From there, Brooke Schramek pushed the pace and made a shot below the basket, which was followed by consecutive threes from both Porter and Natalie Leuzinger. Wisconsin extended the lead to 12-0 to start the game and looked unstoppable early on. Rutgers eventually got on the board and picked up a bit of a spark near the end of the first ten minutes. Despite a small Scarlet Knight run, the Badgers led at the conclusion of the quarter, 16-8.

Wisconsin went on a 6-0 run to begin quarter two as its offensive rhythm persisted. Natalie Leuzinger provided the Badgers with tons of momentum, sinking two more triples for nine early points. The senior matched her career high in threes in just 12 minutes of play and gave the Badgers a comfortable 24-8 lead early on. About midway through the quarter, scoring seemed to temporarily fizzle out for both teams, with no scoring occurring for a little over two minutes. This rut was ended by Schramek who drained a smooth lay-in at the net. Wisconsin led by as many as 16 points this quarter, and finished up the half leading 30-18.

Williams, who had a quiet first half, came into the second half with a dominant offensive presence. The sophomore recorded three of the Badgers' first four buckets and reached double-double territory in no time. Schramek accompanied Williams with a smooth confidence this quarter, draining three buckets for seven points and reaching double digits for the second-consecutive game. The Badgers logged 17 points this quarter to lead 47-33  with 10 minutes remaining.

Schramek and Williams, the Badgers' top scorers for the day, combined for the team's first five points of the fourth quarter. Scoring for Wisconsin was dominated by free throws this period, with Wisconsin scoring eight of its 14 points from the charity stripe. Wisconsin held Rutgers to just 10 points in the final ten minutes and finished the game with a 61-43 victory.

Wisconsin shot 41.4% (24-58) from the field range, and 27.8 (5-18) from 3-point range. The Badgers shot 66.7% (8-12 ) from the free-throw line. Wisconsin led in rebounds 39 to 34 and assists, 18 to nine.

Rutgers shot 32.1% (17-53) from field-goal range, including 28.6& (4-14) from behind the arc. The Scarlet Knights were 45.5% (5-11) from the charity stripe. Rutgers was led in scoring by Destiny Adams who dropped  18 points (7-17 FG, 4-7 FT) and collected 10 rebounds. 

Notes to know

• Wisconsin's second-straight victory over Rutgers marks the team's first-ever regular-season sweep of the Scarlet Knights.
• Serah Williams notched her 11th-consecutive double-double with 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. The sophomore's 18 rebounds ranks sixth all-time in single-game rebounds in program history.
• Williams, Porter, Schramek, and Leuzinger all scored in double digits for the Badgers.
• Natalie Leuzinger tied her career-high in made three-pointers with three.
• Brooke Schramek tied her season-high in made field goals with six shots and 14 points.
• Sania Copeland recorded a career-high six assists.

Up next

Wisconsin prepares for its second border battle with Minnesota that will be played in Minneapolis, Minn. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 .Tip off is set for 6 p.m. and the game can be streamed on Big Ten Network or listened to on 1070 WTSO-AM.