Despite a strong effort, Wisconsin was not able to convert on its final possession and fell to 1-5 overall after an 82-81 loss to Ball State (4-2) Thursday.
Wisconsin came out playing sharp, taking an early first half 10-3 lead after a three-pointer by sophomore forward Ebba Gebisa. The Badgers continued a good showing in the paint, scoring 32 points in the first half, but still losing 44-42 at the break.
UW came into the second half sluggish and the Cardinals took advantage, leading by 16 with 11:52 left in the game.
The Badgers brought it back after several costly turnovers by Ball State, and a layup by Ebba Gebisa tied the game at 70 with 5:55 left. Wisconsin was able to take its first lead since the first half when junior center Lello Gebisa grabbed a rebound and was able to convert on the other end with 3:47 left.
The game came down to a few key possessions after the Cardinals tied it at 80. Sophomore guard Stephanie Rich was able to make one of two from the line, but with 16 seconds left, Ball State's leading scorer, senior forward Tamara Bowie, gave them the lead. After coming out of a time out, the Badgers were unable to convert after freshman guard Ashley Josephson was doubled up on and forced to make an unsuccessful shot, running out the clock.
\You never want it to have to come down to one play,"" Head Coach Jane Albright said. ""But we're never in the game without these two [Josephson and junior center Emily Ashbaugh].""
Ashbaugh and Josephson both recorded career-highs with 17 points each. The Badgers also improved on turnovers after suffering from an average of 26 per game, keeping the total to 14 Thursday night. They will have four days off before facing Eastern Illinois.
""You always think you can do better, but during the game we were working really hard and that's all you can ask for,"" Josephson said. ""We're going to come up with a win soon; we all have that feeling in our heart.\
