MADISON — Monroe grad Sydney Hilliard made her Wisconsin Badgers debut in the season-opening 75-62 win over North Florida Nov. 5.

Hilliard, the Cheesemakers’ all-time leading scorer, had 11 points in just 13 minutes of action at the Kohl Center. She was 5 of 9 from the field and 1 of 1 from the free throw line. She added five rebounds and two assists.

Senior Kendra Van Leeuwen and freshman Julie Pospisilova led the Badgers with 14 points, and senior Suzanne Gilreath added 13 more.

The Badgers led 20-14 after the first quarter and 38-30 at halftime. Wisconsin continued to pull away in the second half, outscoring the Osprey 19-17 in the third quarter and 18-15 in the fourth.

Wisconsin shot 43.5% from the field in the game, including an 8-for-21 (38.1%) mark on 3-pointers. Hilliard missed the only 3 she took. Wisconsin was also just 13 of 24 (54.2%) at the charity stripe. The Badgers out-rebounded North Florida 52-38, though the Badgers had 12 turnovers to the Osprey’s 4. 

Up next for Wisconsin is Wofford College, which travels to the Kohl Center for a 2 p.m. showdown No. 10. The Badgers then have a road game at Colorado Nov. 14 before returning to face in-state rival UW-Milwaukee Nov. 17 at the Kohl Center (6 p.m.).

Joining Hilliard at Wisconsin is high school teammate Sydney Mathiason, who played in the exhibition win over UW-Whitewater Oct. 30. Mathiason did not play against North Florida.