Wisconsin snapped a three game losing streak by defeating the Oregon Ducks in a 94-92 double overtime thriller Sunday night. Senior guard Destiny Howell had a career night, scoring 39 points and a Wisconsin program record 10 3-pointers.
“Certainly a really special performance by Destiny. But today was really special, you know, after a tough stretch,” Wisconsin head coach Robin Pingeton said after the game.
From the beginning, Howell was splashing away from behind the arc, hitting two 3-pointers in the first quarter. While the rest of the team wasn’t at their best offensively, shooting just 42.9% from the field, it was a different story defensively. Wisconsin’s full court press was instrumental in keeping the Ducks quiet throughout the first quarter. Only two fouls were called the whole quarter, allowing the game to get into a nice rhythm as the quarter ended with the Badgers leading 15-14.
The second quarter was exactly what Wisconsin was looking for. Shots were falling, especially from beyond the arc, as Wisconsin hit five 3s. Junior guard Kyrah Daniels was starting to get involved, scoring five points in the quarter and becoming a perfect dual threat with Howell. Wisconsin went scoreless in the last two minutes of the half but still led 36-31 at the break.
Out of the break, Wisconsin did not perform at the same offensive level that had led them to first half success. The Badgers had two extended scoring droughts in the third quarter, which allowed Oregon to score 21 points and get back into the game. Wisconsin lost their mojo offensively, scoring just 11 points on 23.1% shooting from the field. Howell became the only offense the Badgers had, but it still wasn’t enough as the Ducks took a 52-47 lead going into the 4th quarter.
Both Daniels and Howell came alive in the fourth quarter. Oregon started the quarter on a 5-0 run, which gave them a 10 point lead, but the Badgers quickly answered back, with Howell hitting a huge 3-pointer with five minutes left to bring Wisconsin within two. With 50 seconds left in regulation, Wisconsin was down by six. In those final 50 seconds, the Badgers went on a 6-0 run to tie it up.
Howell hit three free throws to cut the deficit to three, and then Daniels did the impossible. With 16 seconds left, Daniels banked in a contested 3-pointer to tie the game at 69 and send it to overtime.
Overtime was incredibly close, with neither team able to get a breath of air. Wisconsin led by one with 50 seconds left, but four consecutive free throws by Oregon gave the Ducks a three point lead with 10 seconds left. The Badgers needed a miracle to send this game to a second overtime. Howell answered those prayers as Daniels found Howell open at the top of the key, allowing Howell to shoot a quick catch and release shot, tying the game and sending it to double overtime.
The Badgers were relentless, hungry to finally get a win after losing their last three. With 56 seconds left, Howell broke free, ending up wide open on the wing. Steele quickly found Howell for an open 3-pointer, giving Wisconsin a three point lead. Oregon, with 16 seconds left, then tied the game with a pull-up jumper.
With three seconds left, Howell drove in and was able to create a bit of separation to try a pull-up jumper, but as she went up, Oregon's Sofia Bell fouled her, and Howell went to the free throw line with a chance to win it. Howell, feeling the pressure, drained both of the free throws to give Wisconsin a 94-92 win.
The Badgers finally broke their winless streak, giving them a much needed, resilient win.
