Iowa fans Packed the House"" Sunday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Wisconsin senior guard Jolene Anderson didn't disappoint as the 4,800-plus fans - an Iowa season high - saw quite a show.
After a 42-point barrage in which she shot a blistering 48 percent from the floor and a perfect 13-13 from the free throw line, Anderson dethroned Barb Franke to become the Wisconsin women's basketball all-time scoring leader.
But Anderson's salvo against Iowa is nothing out of the ordinary for the Port Wing, Wis., native. Since her high school days, breaking records has come naturally for Anderson.
In an Indianhead Conference game as a senior at South Shore High, she set a state record 58 points in a blowout victory over Bayfield. That same year, she wowed the Madison media by setting a state tournament game record 46 points against Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah in the Division IV semifinals.
After four years at a public high school with an enrollment of just 95 students, Anderson destroyed the Wisconsin girls' state scoring record with 2,881 points - 280 more than Niagara's Anna DeForge.
Many critics thought Anderson would have a difficult time adjusting to life in the Big Ten, where the athletes are a bit bigger, faster and stronger than those in the Indianhead Conference in northwestern Wisconsin.
Anderson, now with 2,006 points in her collegiate career, has proven those critics wrong. She needs just 212 points to pass Alando Tucker as the highest scoring athlete, male or female, to ever sport the cardinal and white.
""It's an amazing feat. It truly is,"" Wisconsin head coach Lisa Stone said in Monday's press conference. ""You can't say enough about her. She's started every game since she's been here. She's defied all obstacles, avoided all criticism, overcome people that say she can't do certain X, Y and Z, and she's done it.""
While Anderson has fallen in stride with her game, the Badgers have struggled as a team to keep their heads afloat in the unfriendly waters of conference play. After jumping out to a 7-3 start, Wisconsin has since sputtered to an 8-7 overall record and just a 1-4 record in the Big Ten. Here is what you may have missed over the break.
UW 66, South Dakota State 62
Senior guard Janese Banks led the Badgers with 20 points and sophomore guard Teah Gant chipped in 11 in Wisconsin's final non-conference tune up before the break. Wisconsin snagged a season-high 15 steals and squeaked out a four point home win over the Jackrabbits.
Purdue 65, UW 48
Though down just five points at the half, Wisconsin shot a dismal 31 percent from the field at Mackey Arena en route to a 17-point thrashing by the Boilermakers.
Purdue held Anderson to a season low six points on the night. The Badgers had no answer for Purdue center Danielle Campbell, who scored a game high 19. Sophomore guard Rae Lin D'Alie led Wisconsin with 14 points and senior forward Danielle Ward picked up her third career double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
Illinois 64, UW 54
Wisconsin's shooting woes on the road continued as the Badgers shot just 25 percent in the first half in Champaign, Ill. Though they improved in the second, the Badgers were no match for the home Illini.
Led by Banks' 15 points, four Badgers scored in double figures. Anderson, D'Alie and Ward added 10 apiece in the losing effort.
UW 84, Michigan State 71
Freshman reserve guard Alyssa Karel scored a career-high 19 points to lead Wisconsin in its Big Ten home opening win. The victory was the first over Michigan State since 2002.
Anderson and Banks each added 18 points to counter 6-9 Spartan center Alyssa DeHaan's 27. A second half 10-0 run gave the Badgers enough cushion to cruise to the victory.
Minnesota 81, UW 73
Minnesota guard Emily Fox was unstoppable, scoring 29 points in the Golden Gophers big road win at the Kohl Center. Minnesota shot a clutch 54 percent in the final 10 minutes of the game to seal the border battle victory.
Banks again led the Badgers with 20 points. Anderson and Ward added 16 and 10 points, respectively, and both snatched 12 boards each to complete their corresponding double-doubles.
Iowa 78, UW 74 (OT)
Despite Anderson's 42 points, no other Wisconsin player scored in double figures as the Badgers were unable to come away with a victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes showed their versatility, as all 10 players who saw the floor scored at least four points. Opponent post play was once again the root of Wisconsin's troubles, as centers Stacy Schlapkohl and Megan Skouby dropped 14 and 11 points respectively on the inside for Iowa. The Badgers were also grossly out rebounded 53-32.
Michigan 79, UW 73 (OT)
Michigan head coach Kevin Borseth came to the Kohl Center with a message to send - it's a new year for Michigan women's basketball. Just when the Wolverines looked dead, they came alive in the closing minutes to squeak out a 79-73 overtime victory at the Kohl Center Thursday night.
Michigan center Krista Phillips capped a furious comeback by nailing a 40-footer with less than four seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Clutch free throws by the Wolverines down the stretch sealed the Badgers' fate.
Anderson followed up her Big Ten Player of the Week performance at Iowa by netting a game high 30 points. Danielle Ward picked up yet another double-double with 16 points and 12 boards before fouling out at the end of regulation.
The second straight overtime loss drops the Badgers to 8-8 overall and 1-5 in the Big Ten.
