It was beginning to look like déjà vu for the Wisconsin women's basketball team. That is, until senior guard Rae Lin D'Alie had something to say about it.
Riding a two game home skid, and coming off an exceptionally disappointing loss on the road against Purdue last Sunday, the Wisconsin women's basketball team faced a must win against Indiana Sunday night at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers (8-6 Big Ten, 18-7 overall) found their touch on the free throw line and hung tough on defense throughout the night though to secure their eighth conference win of the season, 66-58. The victory kept Wisconsin tied for third place in the Big Ten with Michigan State, and marked the first time in program history that the Badgers have swept Indiana in a season.
The Badgers began in their usual fashion, jumping out to a comfortable 18-9 lead just over nine minutes into the game. From there, Wisconsin remained focused on offense and determined on defense for the rest of the half. Even when the long range shots weren't falling, or the layups went in and out, the Badgers were all over the boards, creating key second chances throughout the evening.
Wisconsin finished the night with 36 rebounds and 15 second chance points.
""We call that the ‘X-factor,' head coach Lisa Stone said. ""You're diving on the floor, you're tipping it away ... it just gives us another chance to get to the rim or get fouled.""
The Badgers entered halftime up by six, but ran into a re-energized Hoosier team in the second half. With 16:30 left in the game, Indiana sunk back to back 3-point shots to narrow the Wisconsin led to just two.
However, Wisconsin held tough for the next twelve minutes, as both teams matched each other virtually basket for basket. With 3:50 left in the game though, the Hoosiers tied the contest at 50.
That's when D'Alie decided to take matters into her own hands. With three and a half minutes remaining, D'Alie took the ball in the far corner and sunk a 3-pointer. In the Hoosiers ensuing possession, D'Alie wrestled the ball away for the steal and drove down for a layup, putting Wisconsin up by five.
The Badgers never looked back and held tight for the remainder of the game, sinking important free throws down the stretch.
D'Alie's heroics came on a particularly meaningful night for the senior, and an historic evening for the Wisconsin basketball program. The Waterford, Wis. native set the Wisconsin women's all time record for games played and games started, with 125 and 124 respectively.
D'Alie was also one of three Badgers to score in double figures, finishing the night with 14. Junior forward Tara Steinbauer led Wisconsin with 19, as junior guard Alyssa Karel added 13.
Indiana senior guard and Marshfield, WI native Jamie Braun shined in front of her home-state crowd, leading the Hoosiers with 20 points.
The Badgers next play host to Big Ten leader Ohio State on Thursday, and coach Stone and the rest of her team know they have what it takes to win.
""They're in this for each other,"" Stone said. ""They'll do whatever they can for each other whether it's making an extra pass or making dinner. They truly are a family.""
