(UW ATHLETICS) CORAL GABLES, FL – Thanks to tight defense and hot three-point shooting, No. 3 seed Wisconsin women’s basketball knocked off No. 2 seed Miami (FL), 72-65, to advance to the Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBIT.
The Badgers held the Hurricanes to just 15 first-half points, lowest by an opponent this season, and shot a season-high 56.5% (13-23) from 3-point range to secure the win.
Destiny Howell led the way with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including six triples. Kyrah Daniels added her first-career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds and Gift Uchenna chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds to anchor Wisconsin’s presence inside.
How it Happened:
Wisconsin came out sharp and immediately set the tone. Gift Uchenna opened the scoring with a jumper off a Destiny Howell assist, giving the Badgers an early 2-0 lead. Miami briefly answered with a 3-pointer, but the Badgers quickly responded. Wisconsin’s defense forced multiple turnovers early, including steals from Porter, Uchenna, and Lily Krahn, which disrupted Miami’s rhythm early. Midway through the quarter, Krahn provided a huge spark off the bench. After Daniels grabbed an offensive rebound, she kicked it out to Krahn, who knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 12-5. Wisconsin closed the quarter up 17-6, holding Miami to just 2-of-17 shooting while forcing five turnovers and controlling the paint early.
The Badgers struggled to find rhythm offensively, opening the second quarter with multiple missed shots from Daniels, Uchenna, and Howell. Miami took advantage and cut the lead to 17-10. Wisconsin broke through midway through the quarter when Dorja Zaja scored on a layup in the paint to stop the run and push the lead back to nine. Shortly after, Porter added a key basket inside, finishing through contact to extend the lead to 21-10. Wisconsin went into halftime leading 23-15.
Wisconsin came out of the locker room renewed and started lighting up the three point line. Howell ignited the surge, knocking down multiple three-pointers early in the quarter as Wisconsin quickly extended its lead. The Badgers shot a perfect 7-for-7 from behind the arc in the period, completely flipping the game’s momentum. Krahn added another perimeter shot during the run, while Daniels contributed both inside and from beyond the arc. Wisconsin’s offense was nearly unstoppable, shooting 10-of-14 from the field in the quarter and scoring 29 points—their highest-scoring period of the game.
Miami made one final surge in the fourth quarter, knocking down six three-pointers in the quarter and cutting into the deficit. However, Wisconsin answered every run. Howell kept delivering, knocking down another 3-pointer to stop Miami’s momentum. Krahn added another clutch three during the stretch, helping Wisconsin maintain a double-digit cushion midway through the quarter. Miami continued to push late, getting within two, but Wisconsin held on and closed out the 72-65 win.
Wisconsin ended shooting 44.3% (27-61) from the field, 56.5% (13-23) from beyond the arc and 83.3% (5-6) from the line.
Miami finished 32.4% (23-71) from the field, 42.3% (11-26) from three and 61.5% (8-13) from the line.
Notes to Know:
- Kyrah Daniels earned her first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
- Gift Uchena collected her fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 boards.
- Destiny Howell earned a new career-high in assists with seven.
- Wisconsin held Miami to just 6 points on 12% shooting from the field in the first frame which is the sixth-lowest opponent points in a quarter.
- The Badgers 56.5% from deep is the best of the season.
Up Next:
Wisconsin will host either fourth-seeded Harvard or Eastern Kentucky at the Kohl Center on Thursday, March 26.
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