MADISON, WIS. - Panthers prove to be no match for Badgers for the third time this season. Wisconsin improves to 8-3 as they defeat Prairie View A&M 68-42 on Friday night.

The Badgers started strong, going on a 12-2 run in the first quarter. Going into the second, the team went on an 18-0 scoring run with freshman Julie Pospisilova sinking seven straight points. The first half ended with freshman Sydney Hilliard laying the ball in from in front of the net to beat the buzzer. 

Wisconsin continued to make runs throughout the game, going 10-0 in the fourth quarter before ultimately topping the Panthers.

The floor saw two Badger double-doubles, one from Hilliard and one from sophomore Imani Lewis. Hilliard led the team in scoring and rebounds with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lewis had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Clocking out with nine points were Pospisilova and senior Abby Laszewski.

The team has been focusing on helping the freshmen step up their level of play. Head coach Jonathan Tsipis reiterated the importance of sharing team responsibility, "Somebody like Abby is in a different position as a senior we are relying on her more to be able to exert her will, to be able to rebound and alter shots," he said. "When she does that, and Imani does that, it becomes contagious with people like Tara Stauffacher and Sara Stapleton."

Keeping up on records, Kendra Van Leeuwen moves from tenth to eighth for career assists after dishing out five against the Panthers. She now has a career total of 372. Suzanne Gilreath is tied for fifth for career three-point attempts with 558 and is now one away from tying fifth for career made three-pointers. She currently has 190.

PVAMU was led in scoring by Bernesha Peters with 12 points. Jyrah Cobb had six rebounds and Tatyana Perez five steals.

Wisconsin is moving away from non-conference opponents and into conference play. The team will see its first Big Ten matchup of the season in its next contest. The team has been stressing the importance of preparing for these games and getting the freshmen acclimated to the competition that other Big Ten teams will bring to the court. Lewis had a lot to say about that.

"The returners are always talking to the freshman about Big Ten play and how non-conference is totally different," she said. "We are helping to motivate them, not allowing them to be scared or fearful, but letting them know it's going to be tough." She continued, "We are just motivating the freshman and letting them know that what we are doing now we can do in the Big Ten."

Hilliard has no problem with the idea of facing tougher conference opponents. "It's always been something I've enjoyed about basketball, looking to be aggressive," she said. She looks forward to contributing as the team heads into the next part of the season.

The Badgers will host Rutgers for their Big Ten opener on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.