For
the second straight game, UW freshman Lin Zastrow set career marks in scoring,
while also establishing herself as a surprising and quiet threat in the post.
Coming
off a career night against the Big Ten leading Ohio State in which she tallied
15 points off the bench, Zastrow posted one better Thursday night against the
visiting Lady Lions of Penn State, setting a new career high with 16 points. Although
the freshman shot just 6-15 from the field, her scoring helped the Badgers
break out of a slump with the blowout win.
In
the opening minutes, and with the game as close as it would get, senior Jolene
Anderson grabbed a defensive rebound and fed Zastrow up the court, splitting a
pair of defenders with the precision pass. The catch, the shot and the 3-point
play initiated what would become a night to remember for the freshman.
Grabbing
six rebounds and a notching block, Zastrow was more than an offensive threat
for the Badgers.
The
added boost from Zastrow and other bench players had head coach Lisa Stone
ecstatic after the team?s second win in conference play.
?I
thought Lin Zastrow was outstanding,? Stone said. ?Coming in, when Danielle was
in foul trouble, [Zastrow] was able to help keep the team on pace and disallow
a run.?
Senior
Danielle Ward played limited minutes with foul trouble throughout the game and
was unable to score in the post against a tougher Lady Lion, Janessa Wolff.
Ward finished with just two points and two rebounds in 10 minutes.
Flashing
an array of post moves, Zastrow maneuvered eight points in the paint, including
an offensive rebound and put back.
At
6-foot-4-inches, Zastrow missed her only attempt at from beyond the arc.
Fearless of the jump shot, however, she was able to sink two shots just inside
the 3-point line.
It
was the boost from the Ohio State game that gave Zastrow the confidence she?s
played with lately.
?I
felt more comfortable this game just because of the Ohio State game,? Zastrow
said. ?I felt like what I can do against them means that maybe I?m not as bad
as I think I am.?
With
confidence becoming a trend for the young star, Zastrow has higher hopes for
the remainder of the season. And with a few quick baskets to start the last few
matchups, it?s getting easier for the forward to feel good about her play.
?It
always helps [gaining confidence] when you hit your first shot because it gives
you some confidence,? Zastrow said. ?I remember against Ohio State, when I had
that first move for the basket, I realized, wow, I can like play with these
guys.?
After
two dominating performances, Zastrow and the Badgers have momentum at last,
defeating an above-average Penn State team.
Besides Zastrow?s output, the balanced
scoring attack of the entire Badger lineup gave Wisconsin an impressive margin
of victory Thursday, something coach Lisa Stone and her staff would like to see
continue into what has been a disappointing season.