INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— Wisconsin finished off the first round of the Big Ten Tournament with a 71-55 win over Illinois. This marks the team's second victory over the Fighting Illini this season.
The Badgers finished the first half of the game after going on an 11-0 run late in the second quarter up 32-24. The team then started the second half with eight points from
Abby Laszewski in the first three and a half minutes. Wisconsin then ended the game on a 7-1 scoring streak as
Kara Crowley closed out the game with a final-minute layup.
Forward Laszewski scored the team's first eight points in the second half. She had her third double-double of the season to lead the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Jupiter, Fla. native also led the team in blocks with three and is one away from moving into a tie for fourth place in the program record book with 129 career blocks.
Imani Lewis was next up in scoring for Wisconsin with 14 points. She was just behind Laszewski in rebounds with nine.
Sydney Hilliard and
Niya Beverley also finished the game with double-digit points. Hilliard knocked down 11 and Beverley 10. Beverley led the team in steals with two and shared the team lead for assists with senior
Kendra Van Leeuwen at six each.
Illinois was led in scoring by Ali Andrews with 15 points. Kennedi Myles scored 13 points and led the Fighting Illini in rebounds with 11. Jeanae Terry followed up Myles with eight rebounds.
Wisconsin has advanced to the second round of the tournament and will face fifth-seeded Rutgers at approximately 1:30 p.m. (CT) on Thursday.
