MADISON, Wis. – Jumping out to a 9-0 lead, the Wisconsin women's basketball team never looked back as it dominated Savannah State, 82-24, Sunday evening at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers (7-4) shot 47.4 percent (18-38) from the field in the first half to lead 41-10 at the half. Wisconsin wasn't shy on the boards either, out-muscling the Tigers 29-14 in the half.

SSU didn't score a field goal for the last 7:46 of the second quarter and Wisconsin's defense didn't allow a field goal for the first 5:57 of the third quarter, nearly 14 minutes with a field goal for the Tigers.

UW held the Tigers (2-5) scoreless for the first 6:18 of the half, going on a 15-0 run to lead 56-10.

Wisconsin finished the game making 47.9 percent (34-of-71) from the field and holding Savannah State to the fewest points in school history. The Tigers shot just 12.3 percent (7-of-57) from field goal range, the lowest ever by a Badger opponent.

Junior Marsha Howard led Wisconsin with her third double-double on the year, recording 20 points (10-of-14) and 10 rebounds. The forward aided the Badgers to a season-high 58 rebounds as six UW players had five-or-more boards.

Sophomore Suzanne Gilreath provided 12 points, shooting 4-of-12 from 3-point range, while tying her career high with three assists off the bench.

Senior Cayla McMorris added 11 points and six rebounds.

Watch this ?? pic.twitter.com/UNLewXDMfA

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerWBB) December 11, 2017

Wisconsin tied its season high with 22 assists as Kendra Van Leeuwen led all players with six dimes. The Tigers dished off just two assists, a school record for fewest assists by an opponent.  
 

Turning Point

Wisconsin got out to a fast start by knocking down 52.9 percent from the field and taking an 18-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Badgers effort stayed consistent, with a 31-point halftime lead, a 45-point third quarter advantage, and a 58-point gap at the end of regulation.
 

Notes to Know:

• Savannah State scored just 24 points, breaking the school record for fewest points by an opponent in a game. The previous low was 27 points by Northern Illinois on Jan. 23, 1975. 
• The Tigers shot just 13.3 percent (7-57) from field goal range, setting a school record for lowest field goal percentage by an opponent. The previous low was .208 (11-53) at Saint Louis on Nov. 12, 2010.
•  SSU also had just two assists, which is the fewest assists by an opponent in UW history. The previous low was three by Butler on Nov. 20, 2016. 
• The Tigers scored just four points in the first quarter, the fewest points in a quarter by an opponent this season. It also ties for the fourth fewest points in a quarter all time.
• Savannah State put up just 10 points in the first half, which is a season low by an opponent. It also ties for the second-fewest points in a half all time. 
• The Badgers recorded a season high 58 rebounds and tied their season high with 22 assists. UW also had a season high six blocks and a season-high nine steals. Suzanne Gilreath tied her career best with a team-high three takeaways. 
• Senior Cayla McMorris played in her 100th career game. The 6-0 guard had 11 points and six rebounds in the contest.
• Five Badgers scored in double figures for the first time since Nov. 9, 2017 vs. Nebraska.

 
Straight from the Court
"Tonight, it was about could we be great defensively, could we rebound the basketball and could we share the basketball.
 
"We wanted to push the tempo. Every game I want us to play that we are judging the bar against ourselves. I want to get a great start defensively every game so that if the not going in the basket that we're able to stay at that level with being able to rebound and being able to guard.
 
"Today, whether it was the start of the first quarter or the start of the fourth quarter it was about how could we be our best and it was great to get off to that quick start."
- Head coach Jonathan Tsipis
 

Up Next

The Badgers wrap up the non-conference season on Thursday for a 7 p.m., in-state clash with the Milwaukee Panthers at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin opens Big Ten Conference play on Dec. 28 with a home game against Iowa.


Badgers dominate Savannah State at home by Wisconsin Badgers on Exposure