PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Wisconsin women’s basketball team (10-4, 2-1 B1G) opened the new year with a 70-63 road victory over Rutgers (8-7, 0-3 B1G) on Thursday afternoon.
The Badgers erased a 21-point deficit, marking the second-largest comeback win in program history.
Kyrah Daniels led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field and 4-for-7 from three, while Destiny Howell added 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including four triples. Gift Uchenna delivered a strong all-around performance with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, and Laci Steele provided a major spark off the bench with 12 points, all coming from beyond the arc.
How it happened
Rutgers opened the game on a hot streak, shooting 79% from the field and knocking down six three-pointers in the opening quarter. Wisconsin struggled to find rhythm early, shooting 3-for-14, and trailed 28–9 after the first 10 minutes. The Badgers responded with their best stretch of the first half, outscoring Rutgers 21–8 in the second quarter. Daniels caught fire, scoring 11 points in the period and hitting three triples, while Wisconsin held Rutgers to just 18% shooting. Steele and Howell added timely threes as the Badgers cut the deficit to 36–30 at halftime.
Wisconsin continued to chip away in the third, shooting 44% and getting key interior contributions from Uchenna. Steele stayed hot from deep, and the Badgers outscored Rutgers 17–18, heading into the fourth down 54–47 but with momentum on their side.
The Badgers took control in the final period, outscoring Rutgers 23-9 while shooting 55% from the floor. Howell scored 10 of her 16 points in the quarter, Daniels attacked the basket and converted at the free-throw line, and Wisconsin’s defense held Rutgers to just three made field goals. Wisconsin grabbed its first lead in the closing minutes and sealed the comeback at the line to secure the seven-point win.
For the LEAD! #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/Wm3VpCwSz8
— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) January 1, 2026
Wisconsin shot 45.3% (24-53) from the field, including a strong 48.0% (12-25) effort from beyond the arc, and went 83.3% (10-12) from the free-throw line.
Rutgers finished the game shooting 39.0% (23-59) from the floor, 41.7% (10-24) from three-point range, and 87.5% (7-8) at the line.
Notes to Know
- Laci Steele knocked down a career-high four three-pointers, going 4-for-6 from deep.
- Ronnie Porter dished out a season-high 10 assists.
- Wisconsin held the advantage in bench points (18-2) and second-chance points (16-10).
Up Next:
Wisconsin returns home to host Penn State on Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. CT. The game will air on Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports app.
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