Preview: Penn State Lady Lions at Wisconsin Badgers

MADISON, Wis. (Interstat) — The Wisconsin Badgers, riding momentum from a road conference win, return home to face a struggling Penn State Lady Lions team in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Kohl Center.

Wisconsin (10-4) opened its conference slate with a 70-63 victory at Rutgers on Thursday. Guard Kyrah Daniels led the way with 20 points, continuing her consistent play. Over her last five games, Daniels is averaging 12.4 points.

Penn State (7-7) seeks to halt a four-game losing streak, most recently a 97-61 home loss to UCLA on Wednesday. The Lady Lions have faced a brutal schedule, with recent losses also coming against top opponents Iowa and South Carolina.

The game features a key matchup in the post. Penn State’s offensive fortunes often run through center Gracie Merkle, who has been a bright spot during the skid. She is averaging 15.9 points over her last seven games, including a 23-point effort against Nebraska and an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double at Iowa.

Wisconsin counters with its own balanced attack. Beyond Daniels, forward Gift Uchenna is coming off a 10-point, 9-rebound, 3-block performance against Rutgers, and guard Ronnie Porter dished out 10 assists in that contest.

The Badgers have been strong at home this season, boasting a 7-1 record in Madison. Penn State is 1-3 in true road games. A win would give Wisconsin an early 2-0 start in Big Ten play, while the Lady Lions are looking to avoid an 0-2 conference hole.

Sunday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting between the teams this regular season. Following this game, Wisconsin hosts Purdue on Wednesday, while Penn State returns home to face Michigan next Thursday.

Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon.