While the students were away, the UW women's basketball team (1-4 Big Ten, 7-8 overall) still had to play. Though winter break is usually a time for relaxation, the team did not have a chance for much time off as they played seven games over the holiday.
Things started smoothly for the Badgers as they started the stretch with two wins over in-state rivals. During their 56-48 victory over UW-Green Bay on Dec. 13, junior guard Stephanie Rich led with 19 points and four three-point buckets in the first half. Though Wisconsin led for most of the game, the Phoenix held them to one field goal within the opening minutes of the second half. Thanks to an 11-1 run led by sophomore guard Ashley Josephson's five points, the Badgers regained control.
The Badgers traveled back to the Kohl Center on Dec. 22 to take on UW-Milwaukee for their next in-state matchup. Rich led all scorers with 16 points, but senior center Lello Gebisa also played a big factor with 11 points, 10 boards and career-best five assists in the 54-49 victory over the Panthers. Wisconsin also recorded a noteworthy 16 steals in the game.
In the next four games the Badgers took a turn for the worse, as they fell short in all four. The team took a trip out east on Dec. 30 to face off against No. 22 Boston College and came up with a disappointing 76-60 loss. Wisconsin stayed close to the Eagles during a majority of the first half, but a 22-10 run as well as 23 turnovers kept the Badgers off their backs for the rest of the game. Boston College got its offensive fire from guard Jessalyn Denevy with her game-high 26 points.
After going 5-4 in the bulk of their non-conference schedule, the Badgers opened up their Big Ten season against Ohio State on Jan. 2, losing 65-46. The game displayed a poor offensive effort from the team, as they shot 29 percent. Both teams had troubles during the opening half as neither scored in the first four minutes. The Buckeyes pulled away after the drought but found the Badgers nipping at their heels going into halftime, 24-27. Though the offense was off, Wisconsin's defense was intact as they held the Buckeyes to a rather low 45 percent shooting. The Badgers pulled within five, but the offensive drought continued as Ohio State outscored UW 15-6 to close out the game.
Hoping for better results, Wisconsin traveled to Indiana on Jan. 8 for its second Big Ten matchup but again saw an offensive disaster, as they shot a meager 24 percent, resulting in a 60-39 pummeling. This game marked the team's all-time low for field goals, 11, and tied the Big Ten record for fewest points in a half, 13. Gebisa did all she could to help the team as she recorded her seventh career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Two Hoosiers scored more points combined than the whole Badger unit. Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth led the way with 22 and 20 respectively.
The Badgers finally came home to the Kohl Center on Jan. 11, but it was an disappointing return as they fell to No. 8 Penn State, 60-59. The Badgers started slow, opening up 2-for-11 and turning the ball over six times. The second half brought more intense play from the Badgers. They kept the Lions scoreless for five minutes, resulting in them pulling within two. During the final minute, Lello and junior forward Ebba Gebisa, each hit a three-point bucket to bring the game within a point. It was not enough, however, as the Lions let time expire with control of the ball.
After dropping four in a row, the Badgers gained a Big Ten win in their 66-57 home victory over Illinois on Jan. 13. Wisconsin took advantage of their height as they out-rebounded the Illini 41-29 and dominated in the paint (34-18). Rich paved the way with her 18 total points, including four three pointers and seven assists.
After scrapping through their four game skid, the Badgers recovered with a win against IUPU-Ft. Wayne, 75-59 only to fall hard to Iowa last Sunday, 66-46. The Badgers did not score in the first nine minutes of the first period as road woes continued.
The Badgers take on Michigan Thursday at the Kohl Center.
