Starting Five: Badgers face No. 2 Bruins on the road

MADISON, Wis. – Women's basketball will conclude their Los Angeles stretch at No. 2 UCLA Bruins women's basketball on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. (CT). Ann Schatz and Aja Ellison will have the call on Peacock.

Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Bruins:

1. THREE BALL THREAT:
Wisconsin has taken a major step forward from beyond the arc in 2025-26, averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game (1st in the Big Ten Conference, 25th nationally) while shooting 34.7% from deep.

In the team's game at USC, they broke the program's single-season record for three-pointers made and now holds 231 on the year. The previous record was 226, set during the 2022-23 season.

2. SCOUTING THE BRUINS:
Under the leadership of Cori Close (15th season), UCLA Bruins women's basketball holds the No. 2 spot in the country with a 26-1 overall record and a perfect 16-0 mark in Big Ten Conference play.

The Bruins are coming off an 82-67 win over Washington Huskies women's basketball. UCLA outpaced Washington in field goals (53-44), rebounds (37-20), second-chance points (21-2), blocks (4-0), and assists (24-17).
Lauren Betts leads the Bruins' offense, averaging 16.7 points per game and totaling 433 points this season. Charlisse Leger-Walker paces the team on the glass, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game.

3. SERIES HISTORY:
This marks just the second meeting in program history between the Badgers and UCLA. Wisconsin previously hosted the Bruins at the Kohl Center during the 2024-25 season, falling 91-61.

4. LAST TIME OUT:
The Badgers are coming off a 66-59 road loss to USC.

In the game, Kyrah Daniels earned her 20th game in double-digits netting 13 points while Ronnie Porter tied her career-high with 12 assists.

Wisconsin finished shooting 34.8% (24-69) from the field, 33.3% (6-18) from deep and 62.5% (5-8) from the line. USC ended shooting 39.0% (23-59) from the field, 23.1% (6-26) from three and 77.8 (14-18) from the line.

5. UP NEXT:
Wisconsin will host to No. 13 Iowa on March 1 at 2:00 p.m. (CT) for Senior Day. The game will stream on B1G+.