Sports

UW improving even in defeat

After an emotionally draining 80-77 loss to Ohio State Sunday, the Wisconsin women’s basketball team is looking forward.

Although the Badgers were up by 11 points at the half against a visiting Buckeye team, the lead began to shrink as the game progressed.

“We called a quick timeout, and with all the timeouts it got quiet in [the Kohl Center],” UW head coach Lisa Stone said. “It was like, ‘Oh boy, what’s happening?’ We had to get back to that think-positive mentality.”

Bothered by turnovers and a scoring drought, OSU was able to gain their first lead and held it until the final tick on the clock.

The Badgers watched film from the loss, looking to correct any mistakes that might prevent future victories as the team prepares for the climax of their season.

“We put [OSU] at the free-throw line way too much,” Stone said. “Too many costly turnovers; five in the first half, but three came all at once.”

Specifically, the lack of a stable post defense was exposed, allowing Buckeyes’ star center Jantel Lavender to score more than 20 points in the paint and at the foul line.

“I thought we made some pretty good adjustments [Sunday],” Stone said. “With Lavender, we’re one of the only teams that tries to get around in front and just be really active to limit her touches.”

Wisconsin uses a two-person rotation at center, with senior Danielle Ward and freshman Lin Zastrow sharing minutes. Ward has a history of falling into foul trouble; averaging 3 1/2 fouls a game, often limiting her minutes. Zastrow also was foul-plagued early against the Buckeyes, forcing her to the bench as well as crushing her confidence.

“[Zastrow] got two quick fouls called against her, and that kind of tossed her rhythm off,” Stone said. “If you look at … how the game was called, it might have been different in terms of Lavender’s success versus our post success.”

Winning three of the past five games, the Badgers are finding their stride and performing against good teams. The mentality all year has been winning the defensive battle, and Stone thinks her team has done that lately.

“The bottom line is we’ve got to continue to play good basketball at the right time of the year,” Stone said. “I’m encouraged by our kids; they are all in the boat, and they’re all with us.”

 

Badgers looking to finish strong

With an opportunity to put the recent loss behind them, Wisconsin hosts Illinois (6-7, 14-10) on Thursday night. Their last time out, the Illini beat the Hoosiers, a team that defeated the Badgers by double-digits earlier this month.

“We’re hopefully going to pick up [a win] here at home against a good Illinois team,” Stone said. “They’ve found success after a couple of bumps in the road for them as well.”

Illinois posts another formidable center, a chance for the Badgers to prove their strength in the paint. Illini sophomore Jenna Smith averages almost 19 points per game. Stone commented her defensive strategy will be a form of double-teaming, as used against the Buckeyes.

“[Illinois] will be going small, they’re smaller, and will start four guards and a post. We’ll match that by starting Teah Gant,” Stone said. “We added a double-team against [OSU], and that’s something you’ll see more of on Thursday [against Smith].”

Including Illinois, the Badgers have six games remaining, followed by the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. With its last bye week behind it, Wisconsin will play three games next week in only six days.

“Our kids are excited to play and thankful we don’t have any more byes,” Stone said. “That’s a long week of practice when you have a bye.”

With team play improving over the last couple of weeks, Stone is hoping players can continue to gain confidence and make a strong push to make it into postseason play.

“I like our situation in terms of going into the Big Ten tournament,” Stone said. “As long as we continue to take care of each game as it comes, build moment, play the right and strong kind of basketball at the end of the year, go into