MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team was back in the Kohl Center to play Butler, and lost, 59-51, on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Sunday's game showed lots of positives, including an electric 24-point double-double from Serah Williams, as well as the first appearances of the season by Halle Douglass and Lily Krahn. However, despite a tenacious and strong-willed performance by UW, it could not outlast Butler.  

The Badgers got off to a slow start, but after beginning on a scoring drought that spanned the first 4:48 of the game, Wisconsin got points on the board with a driving layup from Serah Williams. The scoring was then bolstered by back-to-back threes made by Sania Copeland and Williams, who drained the third three-pointer of her career. Within just under three minutes, the Badgers were on top, 10-8, after initially trailing 8-2. With seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3FG) courtesy of Williams, Wisconsin took the lead after the first ten minutes, 12-11.

At the start of the second, both teams struggled offensively, with neither scoring in the first 4:51. The offense was broken open by a Ronnie Porter layup, bringing the Badgers up, 14-11. After that, the Badgers and Bulldogs were neck and neck, with Butler responding to both a Porter three and Williams jumper to tie it up at 17 all. Butler gained some separation at the end of the half from back-to-back threes, leaving the Badgers trailing 26-22 heading into the locker room.

Butler got off to a 6-0 run to begin the second half, taking an early 32-22 lead. UW began to chip away at the lead with consecutive layups from Copeland and Natalie Leuzinger to trim the deficit down to six points, but the Butler offense persisted, and it regained a 36-26 lead. Williams responded in an electric manner to shift the momentum of the game, notching six points, one rebound and three blocks in the last 4:39 of the third. The sophomore really got the Badger squad fired up heading into the final ten minutes of play.

Williams entered the fourth with the same infectious energy she'd left off with, and put herself in great positions to escape the Butler double team and score in the post. However, Wisconsin's offense was outscored 19-17 in the final quarter, ultimately resulting in a 59-51 loss. 

Wisconsin shot 34.5% (19-55) from the field range, and 15.0% (3-20) from 3-point range. The Badgers shot 55.6% (10-18)  from the free-throw line. The team finished with 47 rebounds, including 15 offensive rebounds, and 12 assists.

Butler went 33.3% (21-63) from field-goal range, including 28.0% (7-25)  from behind the arc. The Bulldogs were 71.4% (10-14)  from the free-throw line. Rachel Kent led the Bulldogs with a game-high 25 points (9-17 FG, 4-9 3FG, 3-5 FT).

Notes to know

• Serah Williams grabbed her fourth-career double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

• Tying her career-high five blocks, Williams now leads the B1G in blocks with 25. 

• The Badgers outscored the Bulldogs in the paint 32-20.

Up next

Wisconsin kicks off the Big Ten season with a match against Iowa on Sunday, December 10 at 1:30 p.m. inside the Kohl Center. The game can be streamed on BTN or listened to on 1070 WTSO-AM.