The UW women's basketball team has had nights of brilliance and nights of forgetfulness in the '05 season. Last night's loss to Penn State was a night to forget.
The Badgers (4-9 Big Ten, 10-13 overall) were doubled up by the Nittany Lions (12-2, 17-8) 76-43 in a contest at State College, PA. Unfortunately, that was not the only embarrassing stat for the Badgers. UW committed 26 turnovers, which Penn State cashed in for 26 points. Twenty-six miscues ties a season high for the Badgers-a mark set Nov. 11 against Houston University.
Leading the scoring for the Badgers-low as it was-was junior forward Annie Nelson who had a career-high 14 points to complement her seven rebounds.
Freshman guard Jolene Anderson, who had posted double-digit scoring in the last 16 games, was stopped by two-time defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year senior guard Tanisha Wright.
\Tonight, their defense was their best offense. Putting Tanisha Wright on Jolene Anderson was a great call,"" head coach Lisa Stone said.
Wright was not the only Lion who was committed to keeping UW from putting the biscuit in the basket. The entire team managed to score only five points-one field goal and three free throws-in the final five minutes of the first half.
The game is another low in a season of peaks and valleys for the Badgers this season. UW has posted six games in the 80-point range while they have lost four games by 20 or more.
Regardless, this season is an improvement on last year's by far. Already the Badgers have passed last year's conference win total, five, and overall win total, seven.
Stone, who is in her second season at the helm for the Badgers, is showing her qualifications quickly. Anderson is moving into a leadership and scoring role in her first year, which proves Stone can recruit with the best.
The Badgers will take on Minnesota away from home Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
