EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Wisconsin women's basketball team erased a 19-point deficit to defeat Southern Indiana, 67-62, in the second round of the WNIT. This was the team's first postseason appearance since 2011.

Southern Indiana started strong, winning the tip-off and shot from the three-point line to make the game 3-0. Following with another basket, their run was quickly halted with a jumper from Ronnie Porter. Serah Williams proved to be a defensive weapon, securing two blocks in the first quarter. USIhad the lead with a score of 24-12 going into the second.

The momentum continued to stay with the Screaming Eagles as they went on a 6-2 run to open up the second quarter. With the Badgers in foul trouble, Leena Patibandla stepped into the game and drained her third three-pointer of the season. The game was still in favor of USI, 44-25, heading into the half.

Finding their ground in the third, the Badgers went on a 6-0 run to lessen the deficit. Williams was sent to the charity stripe late in the third to put two in the hoop, clinching double-digit scoring for the 26th time this season. UW outshot USI 17-11 from the field in the third, bringing the score to 55-42.

With the season on the line, Williams drove to the basket for an 'and one', putting three on the board for UW. The Badgers were now within eight. Back-to-back three-pointers from Sania Copeland and Porter narrowed USI's lead even more. Two free throws by Williams had the game square at 57. Porter grabbed the lead for the first time of the game with a jump shot in the paint. Williams stepped into overdrive putting six more points in the net, securing the win for UW.

Wisconsin shot 40.8% (20-49) from the field and 29.4% (5-17) from 3-point range. The Badgers shot 81.5% (22-27) from the free-throw line. 

Southern Indiana shot 33.9% (19-56) from field-goal range, including 52.9 (9-17) from behind the arc. The Screaming Eagles were 75.0% (15-20) from the charity stripe. 

Notes to know

• Serah Williams recorded her 17th-straight double-double, claiming 24 points and 11 boards.
• Williams also set UW's WNIT record of 7 blocks in a single game.
• Ronnie Porter notched a career-high 19 points.
• Wisconsin's 19-point comeback was the fourth-best in program history.
• UW claimed 26 fast break points compared to Southern Indiana's 0 and outshot the Screaming Eagles in the paint 28-18.

Up Next

The Badgers will face Illinois State in the Super Sixteen at home on Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. (CT).