The University of North Carolina women’s basketball team improved to a 6-1 record after winning the Big Ten/ACC Challenge against the University of Wisconsin (2-6) on Thursday night.

The Tar Heels handed the Badgers a 72-59 loss in the Kohl Center behind a 23-point effort from sophomore guard Stephanie Watts.

Watts only seems to improve, as she added 10 rebounds in the game to complete her fourth double-double of the season. The Wesley Chapel, North Carolina native was named ACC Co-Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 24.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.

She has scored in double figures for 16 consecutive games, going back to last season.

Watts’ counterpart, Destinee Walker, also a sophomore guard, contributed 17 points in the win, while red-shirt sophomore Paris Kea added 14.

Avyanna Young’s 12 points led Wisconsin.

UNC took control of the game early on, jumping out to a 17-4 lead a little more than halfway through the first quarter with the help of an early run that saw North Carolina score 11 points in a row.

The second period showed the same dominancy for the Tar Heels, as they outpaced Wisconsin by 10 points, with a 24-point period. Entering halftime, UNC led 47-25.

The Badgers picked up the pace a bit, outscoring the Tar Heels in both periods of the second half, holding UNC to 10 and 15 points in the final periods, respectively.

Wisconsin came within 10 points of North Carolina at their closest point in the final two periods. However, the Badgers didn’t pull within 10 points until there was about a minute and half left in the game, leaving no time for an attempt at a comeback victory.

Next for the Tar Heels is a return home for a 5:30 p.m. game on Sunday in Carmichael Arena against Elon.

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