College basketball: UW women upset UWGB on road.

Green Bay — Now that’s a signature victory.

The University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team was seeking a breakthrough win in coach John Tsipis’ first season. The Badgers got what they wanted Thursday night.

UW played giant killer by rallying during crunch time to shock UW-Green Bay, 54-53, at the Kress Center.

The Phoenix had suffered only a four-point loss to Notre Dame, which was ranked No. 1 at the time. But the Badgers (5-8) did not back down even though the Phoenix (8-2) appeared to have the victory in hand.

UWGB took a 53-49 lead with 1 minute 9 seconds to go on a layup by Jen Wellnitz. She was fouled but missed the ensuing free throw.

Suzanne Gilreath then drained a three-point and the Badgers trailed, 53-52, with 45 seconds to play.

UW then caught a break when Green Bay’s Mehryn Kraker misfired on a three-point attempt with 28 seconds left. The ball went out of bounds and Wisconsin was awarded possession after the officials looked at the replay.

Following a timeout, the Badgers got the ball to Malayna Johnson inside. The 6-foot-4 junior’s lefthanded hook swished through with 17 seconds to go and the Badgers had a 54-53 lead.

UW held on as Kraker missed a three-point attempt and Wellnitz a jumper in the final 10 seconds.

Gilreath led the Badgers with 17 points and Cayla McMorris added 15.