GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team's unbeaten start to the season ended Saturday afternoon, as the Badgers fell to in-state rival Green Bay, 81-76, at the Kress Events Center.
Wisconsin (4-1) dug itself a deep early hole, trailing 27-12 after the first quarter and by as many as 20 points late in the first half. The Phoenix (2-2) shot 55.6% from the field in the opening quarter and took a 47-32 lead into halftime behind a big first half from McKenna Johnson, who had 15 points at the break and finished with 24 points on seven 3-pointers, according to WMTV. Elisa Mevius added 20 points for Green Bay.
The Badgers roared back after halftime, outscoring Green Bay 44-34 in the second half. Wisconsin cut the deficit to seven entering the fourth quarter, and sophomore Addie Deal's 3-pointer pulled the Badgers within three at 68-65. Laci Steele's late 3-pointer made it 79-76 with 20 seconds remaining, but the Phoenix converted two free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.
Deal led Wisconsin with 16 points. Junior Teagan Mallegni scored 15, all in the first half, including a layup at the halftime buzzer. Freshman Alicia Courthiau tied her career high with 12 points and added five assists and four steals in a career-high 32 minutes. Steele finished with 10 points, her second straight game in double figures. Wisconsin recorded 14 steals and held edges in points in the paint (38-28), fast-break points (17-10) and second-chance points (17-12).
The Badgers return home to the Kohl Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to host another in-state rival, Marquette. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
