MADISON — The Wisconsin women’s basketball team lost its Big Ten opener to Iowa Dec. 5, 85-78.

Monroe graduate Sydney Hilliard led the Badgers with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal in a team-high 36 minutes of court time. Imani Lewis had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the post, and Julia Pospisilova added 9 points and 9 rebounds for the Badgers.

Wisconsin was just 4 of 21 from beyond the arc, but 26 of 48 from 2. The Badgers hit 14 of 19 free throws. Iowa hit 11 of 28 shots from downtown and 34 of 72 overall. The Badgers outrebounded the Hawkeyes 49-33, but lost the turnover battle 17-8.

Iowa (3-0) had four players in double figures: Caitlin Clark (23), Monika Czinano (18), Gabbie Marshall (15) and Monona Grove graduate McKenna Warnock (12).

Iowa jumped out to a 9-point lead after the first quarter, but the Badgers trimmed it to 40-35 by halftime. The Hawkeyes then took a 10-point lead headed into the fourth, but a Bucky comeback was simply not to be.

Wisconsin (1-1) returns to the court Dec. 11 at home against Rutgers (1-0).