The Alabama women’s basketball team earned the first win of the season Thursday night by beating Wisconsin 70-62 in Foster Auditorium.

The team has endured a tough start to the season, dropping its first three games on the road against Chattanooga, Nebraska and Duke. The Crimson Tide will look to continue a home winning streak Monday against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

Junior guard Daisha Simmons, who leads the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game, said Alabama has a striking advantage at home so far.

“It feels great to be back at home playing in front of our fans,” Simmons said. “We have a lot of support this year, so we’re happy about that.”

First-year coach Kristy Curry, fresh off her first win at the helm of Alabama, said she also prefers playing in Foster Auditorium.

“You love the fact that we’re at home because it’s easier to be in our routine,” Curry said.

The Crimson Tide overcame a double-digit defecit in the first half to defeat Wisconsin at home 70-62.

With the Tide’s first win of 2013 in the books and a proverbial tune-up game up on Monday, Simmons was still wary about labeling Alabama A&M.

“I guess it is going to be [a tune-up game], but we have to approach it like it’s one of the hardest games we’re going to play,” Simmons said. “We still have to go out there and get better.”

Coach Curry had a similar take on the situation.

“I don’t see it as easy. I just see it as another opportunity,” Curry said.

Simmons said the team benefits from a relaxed demeanor after the Wisconsin game.

“It’s great because now we can focus on every game, not ‘are we going to get this first win?’” Simmons said. “Now we can just see everything one game at a time and pull forward from this.”

Alabama A&M is 0-3 heading into Monday’s matchup with the Crimson Tide, most recently coming off a 77-49 defeat at the hands of the Auburn Tigers. The Bulldogs are also under first-year coach Semeka Randall, who attended Tennessee and was coached by the legendary Pat Summitt.

Curry expects a fresh energy from Alabama A&M as the underdog.

“[They have a] very athletic transition offense. They’re very good at it. We’re going to have to do a really good job at transition defense and giving them one opportunity on the boards,” Curry said.

The game is scheduled to tip off Monday at 7 p.m. After Alabama A&M, the Crimson Tide will travel to Moraga, Calif., to take part in the Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic.