The Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team (4-7) had a completely different look and feel to it in Sunday’s game versus in-state rival UW-Milwaukee (3-6), and the changes allowed Wisconsin to start its first winning streak since opening the season 2-0.

The Badgers played with a lot of energy, hustle and determination and received a strong contribution from the bench, partly because for the first game this season, Wisconsin freshman guard Morgan Paige found herself coming off the bench. She was replaced by junior guard Jade Davis.

“I thought Jade was electric, energetic and did a great job on the perimeter chasing screens,” said head coach Lisa Stone. “She gives us a boost [because] she is always talking. She just gives us a tremendous amount of energy.”

Davis finished the game with seven points, four assists and three steals while having to take up the toughest defensive assignment guarding Milwaukee’s Angela Rodriguez. Davis held Rodriguez to 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Rodriguez also had four of Milwaukee’s 13 turnovers.

Not only was the move to the starting lineup a positive for the Badgers but so was the combination of Paige, junior guard Tiera Stephen and junior forward Anya Covington off the bench.

“Those three went in and we got energy off the bench, and that is what we want,” Stone said. “[Paige] comes in and knocks two threes down. She was on fire. Maybe having her be able to let the game come to her a little easier [caused her success].”

Stephen played a strong defensive game, coming up with two steals, one of which she converted into two points on a breakaway layup. She also tied for the team lead in assists with four in only nine minutes of playing time. Covington chipped in six points, two rebounds and also had a blocked shot.

New looks were all around both by the team and individuals. Senior forward Lin Zastrow sported a black eye throughout Sunday’s game, which fellow senior forward Tara Steinbauer gives credit for Zastrow’s success. Steinbauer and Zastrow led the Badgers with nearly matching performances of 17 points and 10 rebounds and 17 points and nine rebounds respectively.

“She needs to start wearing purple eye shadow all the time,” Steinbauer said. “She has had a couple good games recently, so hopefully it’s a look she will keep going with.”

Rebounding still weak, but turnovers improving

Rebounding has continued to be an issue the Badgers have been trying to deal with, and on Sunday Wisconsin was able to put forth a complete effort in the frontcourt. Wisconsin controlled the paint offensively, outscoring the Panthers 34-8 in the paint and defensively, out-rebounding the Panthers 38-23.

“We have made a big emphasis on our rebounding, and I think you have seen an improvement in our rebounding from the Duke game, Oklahoma State game and Drake game,” Stone said.

Milwaukee may have played right into the Badgers’ hands on Sunday. Coupled with the strong emphasis on rebounding, Milwaukee decided to die by way of the three-point shot. Despite being extremely effective – 11-of-24 from downtown – it allowed Wisconsin to generate fast break opportunities off long rebounds and prevent Wisconsin from getting into foul trouble.

For only the third time this season Wisconsin committed fewer fouls than the opposition. In their previous seven games the Badgers had been outshot at the free throw line 175-88, but managed to outshoot the Panthers 17-5, going 15-of-17.

Wisconsin also showed a rare look at a quick, up-tempo transition game. Throughout the course of the season the Badgers are only averaging about two fast break points per game, and on Sunday the Badgers scored a season-high 12 fast break points and looked much more fluid with their ball movement than in recent games.

“It’s a little risk-reward because you might cough it up a little, but I think our players like it,” Stone said. “We are not a run-and-gun team, but I like the fact that we can sprinkle it in here and there.”

With production like that and only 16 turnovers compared to the 20 Wisconsin has been averaging, the Badgers may want to consider trying to run the floor a little more and not allowing so many team to apply full court pressure.