Starting Five: Wisconsin hosts Western Illinois Thursday

Tuesday, November 7

Kohl Center, Madison, Wis.

6:30 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Milwaukee

Tickets

Starting Five: Wisconsin hosts Western Illinois Thursday

November 08, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Badgers battle the Leathernecks at the Kohl Center

By: Alexa Rappaport

Venue	Kohl Center \| Madison, Wis.
Statistics	Wisconsin \| Western Illinois
Stream	BTN+
Live Stats	vs. Western Illinois
Social Media	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram
Game Notes	Wisconsin \| Western Illinois

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team returns to the Kohl Center to face Western Illinois on Thursday, Nov. 9. Tip time is 7 p.m. and the game can be streamed on B1G+.

Here are five things to know before the Badgers face Western Illinois.

1. DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR WILLIAMS: Serah Williams stepped back onto the court for the first official game of 2023-24, and reminded fans why she was one of the top Big Ten rookies last season. With just 15 minutes of play in the first half, Williams secured a double-double with 12 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3-6 FT) and 10 rebounds. In this span, the sophomore made her first-career three-pointer and added three steals. Williams also claimed a career-high in rebounds (14) and steals (4).

2. D'YANIS' DEBUT: D'Yanis Jimenez started for the Badgers in her collegiate-debut, and looked like a seasoned veteran on the court. The freshman was second on the team in scoring with 16 points (5-13 FG, 1-2 3FG, 5-6 FT), and added five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jimenez was off the court for just five minutes, and had a smooth confidence that carried throughout the entire game.

3. SANIA'S PERFECT SHOOTING: Sania Copeland has been out as of late, but in her return against Milwaukee her shooting performance did not miss a beat. The sophomore shot a perfect 100 percent from the floor, notching 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 3FG). Copeland led the team in three pointers made while also tagging on a team-high four rebounds.

4. SEASON-OPENER SUCCESS: Wisconsin's 62-51 win over Milwaukee last Tuesday marked the team's seventh-straight victory in a home opener. The Badgers have now won 14 of their last 15 season openers, and brought their all-time total to 34-16. The game marked the third time in the last twelve years that Wisconsin played Milwaukee in a season opener.

5. SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS: Wisconsin will face Western Illinois on Thursday for the second time in program history. The two teams last battled one another on Nov. 29, 2020, and ended with Wisconsin winning 73-66. Last season, the Leathernecks ended ninth in the Summit League with a 9-23 overall record and a 5-13 conference record. WIU began its 2023-24 season with an 81-57 win over Mount Mercy on Monday, Nov. 6. The team was led by freshman Raegan McCowan who scored 19 points (9-11, 1-3 FT) and four rebounds in just 18 minutes of play.