MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Marsha Howard scored 28 points and Kelly Karlis had her second double-double of the season to help Wisconsin beat No. 24 Michigan State 79-62 Thursday night for the Badgers' first win over a ranked opponent in six years.
Wisconsin snapped a 32-game skid against ranked teams dating to a 73-61 win over then-No. 7 Penn State on Jan. 31, 2013.
Karlis finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Niya Beverly scored 12 for the Badgers (12-13, 3-10 Big Ten), who had lost three in a row and nine of their last 10.
Howard made a layup to open the scoring and added a 3-pointer in an 8-0 opening run and Karlis had seven points as the Badgers scored 14 of the last 16 first-quarter points to make it 22-14. Wisconsin led by double figures the rest of the way. Michigan State (17-7, 7-6) missed its first seven field-goal attempts and shot just 4 of 17 in the opening period.
Shay Colley had 24 points and Nia Clouden 16 for the Spartans.