Three Things: Wisconsin Women’s Basketball Defeats Valparaiso 59-44

Madison, Wis. — It wasn’t viewed as a must-win game by the fans, the athletic department, or even for Big Ten standings, but try telling that to the players on the Wisconsin women’s basketball team.

Making up a previously canceled non-conference game, Marisa Moseley and the Wisconsin Badgers knocked off the visiting Valparaiso Beacons 59-44 in front of a rowdy crowd at the Kohl Center Wednesday night.

Freshman forward Serah Williams dominated in the paint, scoring a team-high 18 points, helping the Wisconsin women’s basketball team snap a three-game losing streak and finish their final non-conference game with a W.

UW also got meaningful contributions from freshman Sania Copeland, who finished with nine points + was a sparkplug off the bench, and senior Julie Pospisilova, who scored 10 points of her own and added seven rebounds in 39 minutes.

Here are three things that stood out from the Wisconsin women’s basketball game Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.

Julie Pospisilova Reaches Impressive Milestone 

Senior guard Julia Pospisilova scored 10 points against Valpo and became the 28th player in Wisconsin women’s basketball history to eclipse the 1,000 career points threshold. 

A 3 for Julie P and her 1,000th career point!!! @Julpospisilova pic.twitter.com/uyLCMqnHnL

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerWBB) January 26, 2023

Pospisilova, a native of the Czech Republic, also became the first foreign-born Badger in program history to accomplish the feat. 

“I think it’s a testament to all of the work she’s put into her game,” Moseley told BaderNotes. “A lot of people like just to score. Julie is willing to do whatever this team needs to win, and I think it’s really cool we can acknowledge her scoring portion of that.”

pic.twitter.com/tV4HxYzI4E

— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) January 26, 2023

2-3 Zone Worked to a T

The Wisconsin women’s basketball team played a 2-3 zone all night to combat Valpo’s five-out motion offense. And if we’re being honest, the Badgers defense executed the game plan masterfully. 

UW held Valpo to a mere 31% from the field, forced 22 turnovers, and limited the Beacons to 22% shooting from beyond the arc. 

“We knew they like to run a five out and sometimes throw cutters into the high post, so we needed to make sure that we matched and kept bumping. Our girls did a good job of bumping over and cutting the floor in half, and when the ball went to the high post, our bodies were engaged.

“Our kids did a great job of keeping their hands up and staying active, and I think that led to a lot of pressure, so they were able to lock in a little bit more.”

Serah Williams is a Building Block for Wisconsin Women’s Basketball

As mentioned, Serah Williams finished with a game-high 18 points and hauled in seven rebounds against the Beacons. But it wasn’t the stat line that stood out to me.

Despite the team’s struggles this season, Williams has shown improvement as the season has progressed and continues flashing serious potential in the low post.

All night she worked hard to establish position, won with footwork, and trusted her teammates when the double teams came.

Serah Williams with her own personal 6-0 run to start the half! pic.twitter.com/SwPo96rPwj

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerWBB) January 26, 2023

“I think for her, it’s just understanding the type of impact she can have and that her teammates were trusting her and understanding to get the ball to her,” Moseley told BadgerNotes.

“The trust has continued to build over the course of the year, and she’s a great asset for us to have.”

What’s Next for Wisconsin Women’s Basketball

Wisconsin Women’s basketball (7-14, 2-7 Big Ten) returns to the court on Sunday, January 29, when the Badgers take on Northwestern at the Kohl Center. 

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