Wisconsin women beat Grambling, winning margin largest in 20 years | Takeaways

MADISON – Wisconsin closed out a busy first week of the season with a 97-46 victory over Grambling State on Nov. 8 at the Kohl Center. It was the program's largest margin of victory in almost 20 years.

The victory, which improved the Badgers women's basketball team's record to 3-0, equaled the margin of victory set by an 88-37 win over Southern Mississippi on Dec. 1, 2006.

But that wasn't the only noteworthy mark from the victory.

The Badgers also held the Tigers (0-3) to 25% shooting (14 for 56). That ties for the 10th-lowest all-time lowest field goal percentage for a UW opponent.

UW's 33 first-quarter points set a mark for the highest first quarter in program history while also tying for the second-highest point total in any quarter.

Wisconsin 's 58 points in the first half tied for the seventh most all-time.

Despite the lopsided aspects of the game, the day offered plenty of teaching points for coach Robin Pingeton whose team completed a six-day run that included three games.

Wisconsin had good stretches of ball movement and passing, but in the fourth quarter, the Badgers were outscored, 12-11, and held to 3-for-13 shooting.

"The expectations are higher than that," Pingeton said. "I felt like we gave up too many second-shot opportunities. I thought we handled their pressure well but then had some careless turnovers. The consistency that we've got to play with has got to improve."

Junior guard Teagan Mallegni led the Badgers in scoring for third time, finishing with 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting that included 2 for 4 from 3-point range.

The team's second and third-leading scorers were junior guard Addie Deal (14 points, three assists) and freshman guard Adaline Sheplee (13 points, five rebounds).

This, however, was a day for the team's lesser-used players or players returning from injury/illness to get minutes. Senior Laci Steele (24:19), sophomore Nikki Kerstein (21:06) and freshmen Leah Nordin (16:37) and freshman Giselle Janowski (18:44) posted season highs for minutes.

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UW's best quarter was the first quarter when it shot 61.9% (13 for 21) and Deal and Mallegni combined for 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting that included 3 for 4 from 3-point range.

What was notable about the Badgers' play was their passing. Eleven of their baskets came off assists. Seven players had an assist in the quarter.

"I thought there were possessions we made too many extra passes and just didn't take advantage of shots that we needed to take," Pingeton said. "But that's good, right? As a coach, you appreciate the unselfish play."

Badgers' board work, shooting must improve

In a game filled with so many notable statistical marks, there were a couple of oddities:

Despite winning by 51 points, the Badgers held just a one board edge in rebounding, 42-41.

Wisconsin almost scored 100 points but didn't crack 50% shooting. The Badgers shot 49.3% against Grambling.

Improvement in those areas is part of Pingeton's wish list for her team after one week of the season.

"We haven't shot the ball well to be honest with you. We can shoot better. Must get sharper," she said. "Defensively (we have) good stretches but we can be better. Rebounding we can be better. I want to see growth, but I'm excited about heart posture of locker room."