Cancun Challenge | 11/30/2024 4:57:42 PM

CANCUN, Mexico – The Wisconsin women's basketball team (7-2) capped off their Cancun Challenge with a dominant 58-45 win over the VCU Rams (4-4) in the final game of the tournament.

This victory marks the Badgers' best season start since the 2018-19 campaign and their strongest start under head coach Marisa Moseley.

Carter McCray was again outstanding, matching her season-high with 19 points on an efficient 8-9 shooting from the field and a perfect 3-3 from the free-throw line.

As a team, Wisconsin shot 41.5% (23-52) from the field, struggled from deep at 18.2% (4-22) from beyond the arc, but were near-perfect at the free-throw line, hitting 88.9% (8-9) of their attempts.

On the defensive side, the Badgers stifled the Rams, limiting them to just 29.0% (18-62) from the field and 26.1% (6-23) from three-point range.

How It Happened
The Badgers started strong, holding VCU to just 15% (3-19) shooting in the first quarter. Serah Williamsmade an impact on the defensive end, contributing two critical blocks to help Wisconsin maintain control. The Badgers extended their lead with a 5-0 scoring run late in the second quarter, and with just three seconds left in the half, Lily Krahn nailed a deep three to give Wisconsin a 31-15 lead at the break.

McCray continued her sharp shooting, going a perfect 4-4 in the first half and adding 8 points to the Badgers' total.

Wisconsin's defense continued to dominate in the second half, holding VCU to just 15 points total, tying the 9th fewest points allowed in a half and the 10th fewest in a quarter this season. The Rams made a push to start the third quarter, but the Badgers held firm and never lost the lead. VCU closed the gap to just one point, but Wisconsin responded with a decisive 13-2 run late in the fourth to secure the win.

The Badgers enjoyed a clear advantage in the paint, outscoring the Rams 32-14 in that area, while also collecting 8 blocks and 7 points off fast breaks.

Up Next
Wisconsin now shifts focus to Big Ten play, facing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights for their conference opener on Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. inside the Kohl Center.