Behind stifling defense and a strong offensive presence, the Wisconsin women’s basketball team (9-2, 0-1) never trailed en route to a 68-38 victory over the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (2-9) Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center.

Junior guard Alyssa Karel led the way for the Badgers with 12 points, while senior guard Rae Lin D’Alie, junior forward Tara Steinbauer and freshman guard Taylor Wurtz chimed in with 10 points apiece to give UW four players in double figures.

Wisconsin shot an impressive 51.1 percent as a team, approaching the school’s all-time record of 62.1 percent.

On the defensive end, the Cougars were held to a mere 38 points on 27.5 percent shooting. The Badgers scored 22 points off 18 turnovers and outrebounded the Cougars 42-25.

“It was a game where we were able to play everybody, and get some people some extended minutes and also be able to rest our starters just a little bit, which is necessary after six road games, and now, three games in five days,” Wisconsin head coach Lisa Stone said.

“Our team, certainly (had) some balanced scoring. … I look right away at rebounds and turnovers, and … we did a good job on the glass, for the most part, but we turned it over.”

Edwardsville, meanwhile, was led by freshman forward Danielle Bennett and senior guard Ashley Bey, who contributed 15 and 12 points apiece.

“We didn’t play very well,” SIU-E head coach Amanda Levens said. “We didn’t shoot very well; we didn’t come out, in my opinion, ready to play. I’m disappointed to have an opportunity like this … and to start the game the way we did was disappointing.”

For the Badgers, the game provided several milestones - not all of them encouraging.

The 18 points at halftime and the 38 for the game were season-lows for a Wisconsin opponent, and Steinbauer recorded her third double-double of the season, as well as the fifth of her three-year career. In addition, Wurtz posted career highs with eight rebounds and two blocks.

Perhaps most significant, however, was Stone collecting her 100th win as Wisconsin head coach. Stone credited her players and staff — both present and past — for her success.

After hearing questions throughout the week regarding their decreased offensive production, the Badgers rebounded with their second-highest point total of the season.

Before Sunday’s game, Wisconsin had failed to score more than 58 points in four straight games after beginning the season with six straight games of either matching or exceeding that number. For Stone, Sunday’s game proved to be an impressive rebound.

“It appears that there’s a different kind of hero each game we play,” Stone said of the Badgers’ balanced scoring. “What that does is it makes practice very competitive, because each person knows that they’re going to get a shot. So, when called upon, make the best of your minutes.”

For Wurtz, the last part of Stone’s message was certainly heeded.

Leading the team in playing time for the first time of her young career, the freshman neared her first career double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds to complement her career highs. Wurtz has played a huge role off the bench for the Badgers so far this season.

Entering Sunday’s contest, she was sixth on the team with 5.7 points per game and contributed three games with double-digit scoring.

“I would definitely have to say my teammates and coaching staff, as well,” Wurtz said of what contributed to her success. “They have just brought me in and treated me like family, and that has made a huge difference.”

Coming up for Wisconsin, Robert Morris (6-2) will come to Madison tomorrow night for the Badgers’ last game before finals and the holiday break.

The Colonials will provide tough competition for the Badgers, coming off an impressive 67-59 win over Marquette Sunday.

After the break, Wisconsin will have to shake off the rust quickly, as Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State (7-3, 0-1) comes to Madison Dec. 28.