Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, January 15
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
8-10,2-5Big Ten
66
vs
61
Wisconsin
11-7,3-4Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Wisconsin
15
17
12
17
61
Northwestern
14
16
21
15
66
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Rallies Back, Downs Wisconsin, 66-61
1/15/2026 10:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sullivan finishes with 19 points, Thomas posts fifth double-double
EVANSTON, Ill. (January 15, 2026) — Behind a resurgent second-half effort, Northwestern knocked off Wisconsin, 66-61, for its second consecutive conference win on Thursday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"Just a hard-fought game at both ends," head coach Joe McKeown said. "Wisconsin has been a really good team all year. For us to come back home and win two [games] in a row, the fans were great. It was loud, a fun atmosphere for our players. We're just excited."
The Wildcats (8-10, 2-5 Big Ten) benefited from a balanced scoring attack, with four players recording double-digit points for the second time in conference play and the third occasion in 2025-26.
Senior forward Grace Sullivan posted a game-high 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Sullivan put forth a commanding display in the clutch, knocking down 3-of-4 fourth-quarter attempts for seven points.
"We really took advantage of how they were playing us on defense," Sullivan said. "They jammed me on every ball screen, which allowed the guards to have wide open lanes and kick out to shooters. We really capitalized on those openings. It's just awesome to see everyone on the team contributing in that manner."
Senior guard Caroline Lau ran the floor with 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Lau knocked down three triples in the win.
Sophomore forward Tayla Thomas turned in her fifth double-double of the season, tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds. Her 11 first-half points kept Northwestern within striking distance early on.
"I've been trying to focus on rebounding and letting the points come to me as the game goes on," Thomas said. "Rebounding is my strong suit. It builds momentum and gives the team energy."
Four days after a career-high 21-point performance against Rutgers, junior guard Casey Harter notched 10 points and four assists. She buried a pair of second-half treys.
The 'Cats forced the Badgers (11-7, 3-4 Big Ten) into 15 turnovers and held the visitors to a 39.7% field goal percentage. McKeown said defending the perimeter was his team's focus.
"They're one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country," McKeown said. "We changed our defenses around, and I thought we did a pretty good job there. We got stops when we needed them."
Northwestern went a perfect 16-of-16 from the charity stripe in the win.
A Lau three at the buzzer bookended a back-and-forth first quarter, with Wisconsin carrying a 15-14 lead after 10 minutes of play.
While the Badgers extended their lead to as many as 10 points in the second quarter, a late Northwestern surge cut Wisconsin's halftime advantage to just 32-30.
The Wildcats took their first lead with 8:42 remaining in the third quarter, and a 10-0 run helped Northwestern build a 51-44 edge entering the final frame. The 'Cats outscored the Badgers 21-12 in the quarter.
Although Wisconsin presented a late challenge, the hosts battened down the hatches and iced a five-point victory on Lau's last-second trip to the foul line.
"I'm just filled with excitement," Thomas said. "This just shows what we're capable of. We're starting to see slowly that we can beat anybody that we put our minds to. It's a very good confidence boost going into Illinois."
The 'Cats return to action on Sunday, Jan. 18, when they'll face in-state rival No. 25 Illinois. Tip-off from State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
Gallery: (1-15-2026) Women's Basketball vs. Wisconsin
"Just a hard-fought game at both ends," head coach Joe McKeown said. "Wisconsin has been a really good team all year. For us to come back home and win two [games] in a row, the fans were great. It was loud, a fun atmosphere for our players. We're just excited."
BEAT BUCKY ?? pic.twitter.com/B9KnpWMmF3
— Northwestern Women's Basketball (@nuwbball) January 16, 2026
The Wildcats (8-10, 2-5 Big Ten) benefited from a balanced scoring attack, with four players recording double-digit points for the second time in conference play and the third occasion in 2025-26.
Senior forward Grace Sullivan posted a game-high 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Sullivan put forth a commanding display in the clutch, knocking down 3-of-4 fourth-quarter attempts for seven points.
"We really took advantage of how they were playing us on defense," Sullivan said. "They jammed me on every ball screen, which allowed the guards to have wide open lanes and kick out to shooters. We really capitalized on those openings. It's just awesome to see everyone on the team contributing in that manner."
Senior guard Caroline Lau ran the floor with 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Lau knocked down three triples in the win.
Sophomore forward Tayla Thomas turned in her fifth double-double of the season, tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds. Her 11 first-half points kept Northwestern within striking distance early on.
"I've been trying to focus on rebounding and letting the points come to me as the game goes on," Thomas said. "Rebounding is my strong suit. It builds momentum and gives the team energy."
Four days after a career-high 21-point performance against Rutgers, junior guard Casey Harter notched 10 points and four assists. She buried a pair of second-half treys.
The 'Cats forced the Badgers (11-7, 3-4 Big Ten) into 15 turnovers and held the visitors to a 39.7% field goal percentage. McKeown said defending the perimeter was his team's focus.
"They're one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country," McKeown said. "We changed our defenses around, and I thought we did a pretty good job there. We got stops when we needed them."
Northwestern went a perfect 16-of-16 from the charity stripe in the win.
A Lau three at the buzzer bookended a back-and-forth first quarter, with Wisconsin carrying a 15-14 lead after 10 minutes of play.
While the Badgers extended their lead to as many as 10 points in the second quarter, a late Northwestern surge cut Wisconsin's halftime advantage to just 32-30.
The Wildcats took their first lead with 8:42 remaining in the third quarter, and a 10-0 run helped Northwestern build a 51-44 edge entering the final frame. The 'Cats outscored the Badgers 21-12 in the quarter.
Although Wisconsin presented a late challenge, the hosts battened down the hatches and iced a five-point victory on Lau's last-second trip to the foul line.
"I'm just filled with excitement," Thomas said. "This just shows what we're capable of. We're starting to see slowly that we can beat anybody that we put our minds to. It's a very good confidence boost going into Illinois."
The 'Cats return to action on Sunday, Jan. 18, when they'll face in-state rival No. 25 Illinois. Tip-off from State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
Wisc
NU
FG%
.397
.407
3FG%
.368
.429
FT%
.889
1.000
RB
33
32
TO
15
16
STL
9
7
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball - Northwestern Rallies Back, Downs Wisconsin, 66-61 (1/15/26)
Friday, January 16
Women's Basketball - Wisconsin Post Game Press Conference
Friday, January 16
Women's Basketball - Harter’s Career Day Guides ’Cats Past Rutgers, 73-54 (1/11/26)
Sunday, January 11
Women's Basketball - Rutgers Postgame Press Conference (1/11/26)
Sunday, January 11
