Wisconsin Badgers
11-5,3-2Big Ten
Purdue
9-7,1-4Big Ten
Comeback falls short as Wisconsin falls to Purdue, 75-67
January 08, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Badgers' nine-game home win streak comes to an end
MADISON, Wis. - A fourth-quarter comeback fell short as the Wisconsin women's basketball team (11-5, 3-2 B1G) suffered its first home setback of the season, a 74-67 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers (9-7, 1-4 B1G), on Thursday evening at the Kohl Center.
Laci Steele led Wisconsin scorers with 13 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-7 from behind the arc, while Destiny Howell added 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting.Â
How it Happened
The Badgers opened the scoring with a layup from Gift Uchenna at 2:27 into the game. Purdue then took control of the ball, going on a 13-2 run, before Steele sank a three-pointer for the Badgers 7:05 into the first quarter to earn momentum back for UW. The opening 10 minutes ended with a successful three-point shot for Purdue as they led, 18-9, heading into the second frame.
Wisconsin chipped away at Purdue's lead in the second, outscoring the Boilermakers 20-12 in the quarter. Kyrah Daniels kicked off the half with a made three-point shot, with Steele and Ronnie Porter also adding fast-break points to the Badgers' total. In the final minute of the quarter, Daniels made another three-pointer to make it a one-point game – a 30-29 Purdue advantage – after 20 minutes of play.
Purdue started the second half with a made three-pointer, their first of five successful long balls in the quarter. With a red-hot offense, the Boilermakers' defense was also strong, limiting Wisconsin to 16 points in the quarter, compared to PU's 21 points. In the final 3:06 of the quarter, Wisconsin sank back-to-back-to-back three pointers, with Daniels, Porter and Breauna Ware making their shots, but it wasn't enough to pull ahead of the Boilermakers as they held onto a 51-45 lead.Â
In the fourth quarter, Purdue continued its success from behind the arc, extending its total three-point completion rate to 60 percent. The Badgers continued to push, closing the gap to make it a four-point game with 3:13 remaining, but their late comeback attempt fell short as the Boilermakers claimed a 74-67 contest to end UW's nine-game home win streak.Â
As a team, Wisconsin shot 38% from the field (25-65), 30% from beyond the arc (9-30) and 73% from the free throw line (8-11).
Purdue shot 47% (25-53) from the field, 60% from beyond the arc (12-20) and 76% from the free throw line (13-17).Â
Notes to Know
- Dorjia Zaja tied her career high in rebounds.
- Laci Steele tied her career high in points and is one field goal from tying her career high.
- Ronnie Porter matched her season high in steals.Â
