The Badgers (2-9 Big Ten, 8-15 overall) attempted two potential game winning shots in the final seconds against Northwestern, but both failed to find the bottom of the net. The Wildcats (2-9 Big Ten) escaped Welsh-Ryan Arena with a 58-56 win Sunday.
The trio of sophomore guard Jolene Anderson, senior guard Ashley Josephson and sophomore forward Danielle Ward led Wisconsin with 14 points apeace, but Anderson and Ward each missed last-second shots.
With 12.4 seconds left in regulations and trailing by one point, the Badgers inbounded the ball to Anderson who drove to the basket. Her up-and-under shot missed and Ward hauled in the offensive rebound. Ward's attempt missed as well, and Wildcat junior forward A.J. Glasauer ripped down the rebound for Northwestern and was immediately fouled. She made 1-of-2 from the line and UW failed to attempt another shot.
'I really can't say enough about our kids. I am proud of them,' Badger head coach Lisa Stone said. 'We had an opportunity to win the game. We missed the shot. Credit Northwestern'they were hungry for it.'
The Badgers started off strong for the second game in a row, hitting its first six shots from the field and jumping out to a 12-2 lead. The Wildcats made a run of their own, cutting the lead to five, 34-29, at the half.
After NU went on an 8-0 run to start the half, The Badgers and Wildcats continued to go back and forth and Anderson hit two free throws with 43 seconds left to cut the lead to one, 57-56. But her points there would prove to be the final points of the day for UW.
'When it comes down to it, we have to do the little things that we can control,' Stone said. 'Going 7-of-15 from the free throw line isn't going to get it down. We couldn't close the door.'
The Badgers will next travel to Champaign, Ill. to take on the Illini Thursday at 7 p.m.
