Freshman guard Tyra Grant led Penn State (5-6 Big Ten, 12-12 overall) with a game-high 28 points as it surged past the Wisconsin women's basketball team (5-6, 16-8) Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center 70-61.
Even though this game successfully marked the first-ever ""Think Pink Day"" event hosted by Penn State head coach Rene Portland to support breast cancer awareness, it also marked the second consecutive loss the Badgers have faced on the road since Thursday night's fall at Indiana. It amounted to a Big Ten Conference record of less than .500 for the season.
""We didn't shoot the ball overly well but were still in a position to win it,"" UW head coach Lisa Stone said. ""We have a lot of things to learn. This [Penn State] team is better than their record shows. Only one Big Ten team has beaten them at home.""
Wisconsin was unable to come back from a four-point deficit at half, going into the locker room trailing the Lady Lions 33-29. There were no lead changes during the game, but Wisconsin and Penn State were evenly matched in all aspects of the game.
The Badgers were able to out-rebound the Lady Lions 35-32, however, the Lions made up for lost ground by forcing the Badgers to 17 turnovers converted into 16 points. Usually, Wisconsin is able to rally off of fast-break scoring but only was able to score four points in this category on the game.
Wisconsin's junior sensation Jolene Anderson led the way for Wisconsin, finishing with a team-high 23 points. Anderson was the only Badger to finish in double figures. Classmate Janese Banks scored nine points, as did sophomore Caitlin Gibson.
Although Wisconsin's depth and support from the bench worked in their favor by collecting 17 points compared to Penn State's one bench point, the Lady Lion starters conquered the court. Alongside Grant, two other guards were major contributors to Penn State scoring, as sophomore Brianne O'Rourke and junior Kamela Gissendanner finished with 16 points each.
Wisconsin will have their second chance to defeat the Hoosiers as they host Indiana at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center Thursday.
—uwbadgers.com
contributed to this report.
