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Hilliard leads Badger women to 73-66 victory in opener
tsipis hilliard
Wisconsin coach Jonathan Tsipis talks to freshman guard Sydney Hilliard in the fourth quarter. Hilliard is a 2019 Monroe graduate. - photo by Adam Krebs

MADISON — The Wisconsin women’s basketball team opened up its season with a 73-66 win over Western Illinois thanks in large part to Monroe graduate Sydney Hilliard.

Hilliard scored a game-high 24 points and added 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. The sophomore guard also led her team by playing 38 of the 40 possible minutes. She finished 10 of 19 from the field, 2 of 4 from the free throw line and hit 2 of 3 2-pointers.

Imani Lewis had 13 points and 7 rebounds for the Badgers, while Sara Stapleton had 11 points and 11 boards. Alex Luering also scored 11 points.

Wisconsin led 25-20 after the first quarter and 41-30 at halftime

Junior Sydney Mathiason of Monroe did not see the court, nor did freshman Natalie Leuzinger, a Black Hawk graduate, who is nursing an injured ankle.

Wisconsin’s original season-opening game against Miami of Ohio was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next up for the Badgers is the Big Ten opener Dec. 5 at Iowa (1-0), which finished third in the Big Ten last season (14-4, 23-7 overall).