ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands —  The Wisconsin women's basketball team competed against Georgia in its first game of the 2022 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in St. Thomas on Thursday, but lost by a final score of 68-60. 

Wisconsin was in charge for most of the game, most notably in the third quarter as it took a 20-point lead over Georgia, bringing the score to 55-35. It was a complete team effort, with all of Wisconsin's starters contributing offensively in this span. Maty Wilke went 2-3 from three-point range with Avery LaBarbera adding seven of her 13 points during this time. 

Wilke once again showed off her offensive prowess as she led Wisconsin in scoring with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3FG). She recorded four three-pointers in a game for the first time in her career and tied her career high in minutes played with 38. She was followed by LaBarbera, who recorded 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-5 3FG) and also added six rebounds and six assists. 

After going scoreless for the first three minutes of the game, Brooke Schramek was determined to get the Badgers on the board as she totaled eight points in the first quarter. The teams exchanged points back and forth, but UW eventually started to pull away, closing out the quarter with a 16-11 lead.  The Bulldogs were able to narrow the lead in the second stanza, but the Badgers continued to battle and led by 10 with a halftime score of 33-23. 

UW put on an offensive clinic and finished the third quarter shooting 64.3% from the field and 66.7% from the three. Wisconsin did not score in the last 1:58 of the quarter, and this drought lasted all the way until there was 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. Serah Williams, who had four fouls, came off the bench and made a layup to finally get the Badgers some points. While the game did not end up going their way, the Badger's gritty performance proved that they are capable of keeping up with one of the few undefeated teams in the nation.

Wisconsin shot 43.9% (25-57) from the field, including 31.8% (7-22) from 3-point range. The Badgers did not make it to the free-throw line very often, but drained 75% (3-4) of the shots they took from behind the line.

Georgia went 37.3% (25-67) from field-goal range, including 41.2% (7-17) from three and 78.6% (11-14) from the free-throw line. Diamond Battles commanded the Bulldogs' offense, playing all 40 minutes and scoring 24 points (9-19 FG, 5-9 3FG, 1-2 FT) along with two assists, one rebound and four steals, and 11 of her points came in the fourth quarter.

Notes to know

• Wisconsin's largest lead of the night came with 1:58 minutes left in the third quarter when it was up 55-35.

• Four Badgers finished in double digits, including LaBarbera, Wilke, Williams and Schramek.

• Wisconsin's best offensive performance came in the third quarter when it shot 64.3% from the field and 66.7% from the three. 

• LaBarbera displayed her versatility on the court, accumulating 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-5 3FG), six rebounds and six assists. 

Up next

Wisconsin matches up against Seton Hall in its game of the 2022 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam women's basketball tournament in St. Thomas on Friday. The game will once again take place at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center and will be streamed on ESPN3 at noon.