The Wisconsin women’s basketball team has dealt with some considerable ups and downs over the last few days. However, head coach Lisa Stone is attempting to stay positive even in the hardest times. Even though the Badgers suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Michigan State Spartans last Thursday at the Kohl Center, Stone was happy with her team’s performance.

“We played good basketball. It was a great game against a really good team,” Stone said in her press conference Monday.

Stone also recognized the consequences of that loss, as the Badgers are now in third place in the conference. However, she remained proud of her team for bouncing back.

“The next day in the locker room, instead of being somber and crying about it, we got to work,” Stone said. “We got back to work knowing that we are still in a position to win a Big Ten championship.”

The team did more than have a great practice the next day. Over the weekend, the Badgers faced the Indiana Hoosiers at their home gym in Bloomington, Indiana. There, the Badgers were able to pocket a statement-making 75-49 road win over the Hoosiers. Not only did the team prove they maintained their confidence after being knocked down by Michigan State, they also helped Stone earn her 500th career victory.

“We came out aggressively defensively, followed the game plan to a tee, shot the ball very well and got a lot of people involved,” Stone said. “This time of year, you want to start getting positive momentum in order to play your best basketball by the end of the year and yesterday was a good sign.”

Though the Badgers do not appear to have lost any confidence, they are not taking their upcoming games lightly. Wisconsin will face Northwestern Thursday at the Kohl Center. During their last encounter, the Badgers won on the road, 62-50. Since then, the Wildcats are 2-0, including a six-point win over Ohio State. Stone anticipates a fiery attitude from the Wildcats.

“They are going to come in here very hungry to get the game back that they may have thought they had at their place.” Stone said.

Since it has been less than two weeks from their last meeting with the Wildcats, Stone and the Badgers plan to pursue a very similar game strategy.

“It’s fresh in our minds. Our players are going to know who their players are and again, the scouting report is going to be very personnel driven,” Stone said. “The fact that it’s familiar is an advantage to us.”

Stone and the Badgers saw the win over Indiana as the beginning of their positive momentum. They hope to maintain that momentum until they reach their goal of a Big Ten championship.

“Our job is to do what we do, and do it well,” Stone said.