Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Unhappy birthday for Kohl Center

On the 10th anniversary of the Kohl Center, the Wisconsin
women?s basketball team lost a heart breaker to the Michigan Wolverines in
overtime, 79-73. After leading by as many as 11 points in the second half, the
Badgers blew a late lead, setting the stage for a remarkable finish.

With the game tied and less than 30 seconds remaining,
Wisconsin’s Jolene Anderson drove to the lane and found point guard Rae Lin
D?Alie wide open. D’Alie made a three-pointer that appeared to seal a win for the
Badgers with 10 seconds left in the game.

However, in Michigan?s next possession, center Krista
Phillips heaved a desperation shot from nearly half-court and made the
game-tying basket.

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?It was a lucky shot,? Phillips said. ?Luck ? that?s the
only word I can use to describe it.?

Lucky or not, Phillips, a 6-foot-6 center, made her presence
noticeable throughout the game, especially down the stretch. She dominated the
boards and the inside offensive game. She scored 15 points and grabbed seven
rebounds for the Wolverines.

?It was a great shot when she hit it,? D?Alie said. ?I
couldn?t believe it when she threw it up. Right away I was like, ?Oh my gosh, I
can?t believe it,? but I immediately thought that when we went to overtime, we
had to score in the first two minutes, and we just couldn?t do that.?

Anderson also had an impressive game, scoring 30 points and
keeping the Badgers in the game throughout regulation. But her wild 3-point
shot as time expired in the second period did not go, and she only scored three
points in the following overtime period.

Going into overtime, Wisconsin looked sluggish and forced
bad shots, allowing Michigan to take an early lead they never gave up.

?Our team was a bit deflated and defeated going into that
timeout at the start of the overtime period,? UW head coach Lisa Stone said.
?It kind of breaks your heart when emotions are going your way and then Phillips
makes a deep, deep 3.?

Throughout the game, the Badgers looked in control, but
could not put the game away. When they did not extend their lead, the Badgers
allowed Michigan to create offensive opportunities and score points in the
paint and off of turnovers.

?Like coach Stone always says, it was swinging our way,? Wisconsin
senior Janese Banks said. ?But, I mean, it?s the Big Ten, and nobody?s going to
quit. … They just kept battling, and I think that at the same time. … We
need to be more conscious during the game of things that could be potential
momentum swingers.

Before the game, Anderson was honored with a basketball
presented by UW athletic director Barry Alvarez. The ceremony commemorated her
passing of Barb Frank for the UW all-time scoring record in women?s basketball.

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