MADISON, Wis. – Katy Winge poured in a career-high 25 points, including 20 in the second half, but her effort wasn't enough, as the Illinois State (0-2) women's basketball team couldn't overcome a 30-point deficit and fell to Wisconsin (1-0), 71-60, Sunday at the Kohl Center. Winge sank four three pointers and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line during her career performance.
"I was really happy with our team's fight," head women's basketball coach Barb Smith said. "I wasn't happy we were down by 30 at one point, but obviously the fight back showed a lot of character. We kept our composure, got back together and started playing again. Some things happened in our favor, that caught fire, and we got our confidence back. I thought Katy decided to put the team on her back, like seniors do. She did a great job doing that."
Zenobia Bess and Stekara Hall both netted nine points, as Octavia Crump added eight. The Redbirds scored just 21 first half points, but they regrouped and scored 39 points after the half. Illinois State connected on 35 percent of its field goal attempts, while Wisconsin found the bottom of the net on 41 percent of its shot attempts. Crump led ISU on the boards, pulling down 10. The Badgers had a slight advantage on the boards, pulling down 43 rebounds compared to the Redbirds' 41.
Early in the game, Wisconsin used a 6-0 run to take a 6-2 lead, but Illinois State worked to pull within one, 9-8, five minutes into the first half. Then, the Badgers went on a 12-3 run, including back-to-back threes to increase their advantage to 10 points, 21-11, at the 9:45 mark of the first half. The two teams traded baskets, but Wisconsin got back out by 10 points two more times in the middle of the opening half, as Illinois State couldn't pull closer than eight.
Both teams were scoreless for three minutes late in the first half, but five-straight free throws by Wisconsin gave the Badgers a 34-21 lead at the half. The 13-point advantage was the largest lead of the first half, as the Redbirds were scoreless for the final two minutes of play.
At the break, Crump had six points and eight rebounds, leading the Redbirds in both categories. Winge added five points, while Hall and Bess both contributed four points in the first half. The Badgers connected on 34 percent of its field goal attempts, as the Redbirds found the bottom of the net on 27 percent of their shot attempts. Wisconsin had the slight advantage on the boards, pulling down one more rebound than Illinois State.
Wisconsin came out strong in the second half, as it opened with a 20-3 run to take a 54-24 lead eight minutes into the second half. The 30-point margin was the Badgers' largest lead in the game. Then, Winge brought life back to the Redbirds, as she scored 13-straight points, including three shots beyond the arc, 60-37, with eight minutes remaining in the game.
Then, Winge's hot streak continued, as she scored seven-straight points with 3:45 left to play. The Redbirds battled back late in the game and pulled within 11 points, but the effort wasn't enough, as they couldn't overcome the deficit and fell to the Badgers, 71-60.
After starting the 2014-15 season with two road games, ISU will open the home season at Redbird Arena Wednesday against Northern Kentucky. Tip is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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