In a nationally televised matchup against the No. 7 USC Trojans, the Wisconsin women’s basketball team couldn’t keep up through four quarters, losing 86-64 Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.
Despite the loss, junior Serah Williams led all scorers with 19 points. As the only Badger with double-digit shot attempts, Williams ran the majority of Wisconsin’s offense.
Carter McCray and Tess Myers were the other two double-digit scorers for Wisconsin. McCray posted 12 points, shot 50% from the field and had four additional points at the free-throw line. Her 11 rebounds were also a game-high, proving herself to be a fierce presence in the paint.
Myers had 12 points, with a perfect 4-4 shooting performance from 3-point range. Myers has been the best 3-point shooter for Wisconsin this season, leading the team with 55 total makes.
Wisconsin dug themselves into a hole early due to poor ball security. Fourteen of their 24 turnovers came in the first half, with USC capturing 12 points off those turnovers.
Williams had 11 of her 19 points in the first two quarters to help stop the Badgers from falling too far behind.
Nine personal fouls against Wisconsin and the Trojans’ better shooting from the field in the first half left the Badgers down 39-28 at halftime.
The third quarter was the closest for Wisconsin in terms of point differential. They didn’t put a dent in USC’s 11-point lead, however, as they still won the quarter 23-19. Freshman guard Avery Howell scored nine points in the quarter for the Trojans, all of them coming in the paint.
There was no last-quarter gasp for the Badgers, as they shot 4-11 in the quarter with six turnovers. USC subbed the starters out of the game with six minutes left, signaling their confidence to cruise toward a win.
Wisconsin plays at the Kohl Center once again this Sunday, looking to get back in the win column against Illinois.
