(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin women’s basketball team beat Bradley, 71-65, on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in its first game of the 2026-27 regular season.
The Badgers (1-0) were led by junior guard Teagan Mallegni who had all of her career high 17 points in the second half, including a go-ahead 3-pointer while tied 65-65 with 28.4 seconds remaining. Mallegni added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Sophomore guard Addie Deal also contributed with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in the team’s first win of the season.
Freshman forward Adaline Sheplee made her collegiate debut with 16 points and 3 rebounds. Alicia Courthiau also contributed with 6 points and 3 rebounds.
Wisconsin Badgers coach Robin Pingeton said they got the win, but there is plenty to correct.
Pingeton talked about what’s next after getting a win in the season opener.
The Badgers used a 14-0 run midway through the third quarter after trailing 35-34 to build a 14-point lead. During this run, the Badger defense held the Braves scoreless for a span of 4:58. Mallegni led the Badgers with 10 points in the third quarter.
Playing without their top two returning scorers from last season, Kyrah Daniels and Shay Bollin, Tuesday’s starting lineup featured five newcomers for the Badgers, including Iowa transfers Deal and Mallegni and Chattanooga transfer Caia Rose. Freshmen Alicia Courthiau and Rice Lake, Wis. freshman Adaline Sheplee rounded out the starting five.
Wisconsin has now won its season opener for the 10th-consecutive season. The Badgers controlled the paint, outscoring Bradley 56-32 and 23-2 on fast break points. Wisconsin committed just nine turnovers, the team’s fewest since coughing it up seven times in the 2024-25 season-opener against Wright State. Defensively, the Badgers forced the Braves into 20 turnovers.
Up Next: UW continues its regular season slate with a home contest against Oakland on Thursday, Nov. 5. Tip at the Kohl Center is set for 6:30 p.m.
Comments