Wisconsin Badgers
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Oakland
1-1,0-0Horizon
Badgers claw past Golden Grizzlies, 79-68
November 05, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Wisconsin wins ninth-straight season opener
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin women's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with a 79-68 win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers brought consistent offensive pressure throughout the game, shooting 50% from the field and maintaining the lead after trading baskets to start the first quarter. Wisconsin also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Oakland 48-31.
Destiny Howell led the way for Wisconsin with 17 points and six rebounds. Shay Bollin added 13 points, just shy of her career-high 14 points, while Laci Steele and Kyrah Daniels contributed 12 and 13 points, respectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Badgers started strong, with Howell opening the scoring with a layup. Wisconsin and Oakland traded points early before Daniels hit a layup and Steele added an and-1 for her first official points as a Badger.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Howell fueled an 11-0 run over 3 minutes, 2 seconds, giving Wisconsin a 20-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
With strong shooting from beyond the arc, the Badgers finished the first half leading 39-30, including 18 points coming from three-pointers.
Steele opened the third quarter with a jumper, sparking a 13-2 run over 4 minutes, 27 seconds, which pushed Wisconsin's lead to 18 points by the end of the quarter.
The Badgers kept up their momentum in the fourth quarter, with Dorja Zaja knocking down back-to-back shots to start the period. Wisconsin also shined defensively, recording six blocks -Â tying for the second-best single-game total in Kohl Center history.
Wisconsin's bench contributed 25 points, including eight from Zaja, helping the team close out the game.
UP NEXT:
The Badgers will travel to Milwaukee to face the Marquette Golden Eagles in an I-94 rivalry matchup on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. (CT) on ESPN+.
