The University of Wisconsin women's basketball team's high-scoring attack came to a screeching halt Wednesday night.
With the Badgers battling away from home for the first time on the young season, South Dakota State was able to lock down an offense that entered the matchup averaging 87 points over the first two games of the season.
The Jackrabbits held the Badgers to just 10 fourth-quarter points en route to a 79-57 victory at First Bank & Trust Arena in Brookings, South Dakota.
South Dakota State (3-0, 0-0 Summit League) held Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) to 41.1% shooting from the field and 26.7% from 3-point range, but the Badgers' shooting woes extended to the free-throw line where coach Marisa Moseley's squad went 7 of 12 (58.3%).
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Wisconsin's defense, which entered the matchup having allowed 64.5 points and 38.3% shooting against its first two opponents, struggled to control a South Dakota State offense that spread the ball around with 12 assists. Coach Aaron Johnston's squad shot 30 of 58 from the floor (51.7%), including connecting on 6 of 14 from long range (42.9%).
Five Jackrabbits players finished in double figures, with junior forward Brooklyn Meyer, junior guard Haleigh Timmer and senior forward Mesa Byom leading the way with 13 points each. Also scoring in double figures for South Dakota State was senior guard Paige Meyer (11 points) and freshman guard Katie Vasecka (10).
Junior forward Serah Williams had a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn't enough for Wisconsin on a night that saw only one other Badgers player reach double figures. While junior guard Ronnie Porter did contribute 11 points in the loss, it was a steep drop off after she entered the game averaging 22.5 points a contest.
South Dakota State took an early lead and Wisconsin wasn't able to make a serious challenge the rest of the way. After holding the Badgers to 13 points in the opening quarter, the Jackrabbits continued their steady approach into a 36-30 lead at halftime.
While Wisconsin tallied eight steals and two blocks to South Dakota State's five steals and two blocks, it was the Jackrabbits defense that controlled the flow of the game.
The Badgers have a few days to look at tape and figure out what went wrong before they host in-state rival UW-Milwaukee in a nonconference showdown Sunday at the Kohl Center.
Photos: Wisconsin women's basketball meets Georgetown for first time
The Wisconsin women's basketball team's bench reacts after Ronnie Porter's first half buzzer-beater during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Halle Douglass shoots over Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard D'Yanis Jimenez splits a pair of Georgetown defenders during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger scores over Georgetown's Kelsey Ransom during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley looks on during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Tess Myers drives down the wing during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter drives past Georgetown's Victoria Rivera off a screen during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin wing Jovana Spasovski looks for an open teammate during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Serah Williams looks to shoot over a pair of Georgetown players during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Halle Douglass works around Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard D'Yanis Jimenez goes for a shot against Georgetown's Victoria Rivera during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger fires a pass to the wing during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Tess Myers connects on a 3-pointer over Georgetown's Khadee Hession during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Serah Williams gets a block and a steal on Georgetown's Jaeda Wilson during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter shoots a floater between a group of Georgetown defenders during Sunday's nonconference game at the Kohl Center.
