MADISON – The Wisconsin women’s basketball team scored its first win over a ranked opponent of the Robin Pingeton era Sunday, Dec. 7 and it almost did so going wire to wire.
The Badgers defeated Michigan State, 78-64, at the Kohl Center for their first victory over a ranked opponent since a 78-70 win over No. 12 Michigan on Feb. 26, 2023. The Spartans, who are ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls, trailed for all but 27 seconds in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
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Two seniors led the way with near triple doubles.
Gift Uchenna, a 6-foot-3 forward, had 14 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks in 27 minutes. Ronnie Porter, a 5-2 point guard, posted 12 points, 11 boards and eight assists in 33 minutes. She turned it over once.
Wisconsin’s Destiny Howell drives to the basket against Michigan State’s Jalyn Brown during the first half at the Kohl Ce nter in Madison, Wis. on Sunday Dec. 7, 2025.
The ability to guard against turnovers was a theme of the evening. Michigan State entered play ranked fifth in the nation in steals (16.5 per game) and sixth in turnovers forced per game (26.8).
Wisconsin (7-3, 1-0) tied its season low with 11 turnovers.
The Badgers led by as many 14 points with the defining moment of the game with 6 minutes 44 seconds to play and Michigan State down, 61-58. Wisconsin responded with a 12-2 run over the next 4 ½ minutes that pushed its lead to 73-60 with 2:26 go.
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Junior guard Kyrah Daniels tied Uchenna for the team-high in scoring while senior guard Destiny Howell finished with 13 points.
Check jsonline later for more on the game.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team upsets No. 20 Michigan State
