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Badger women defeat Illinois

The University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team opened the 2009 portion of its schedule by defeating Illinois, 53-38, Thursday night.

“(We had) tremendous balanced scoring, a great job on the glass against a good rebounding team and just an unbelievable defensive performance,” said UW coach Lisa Stone.

The Badgers improved to 2-1 in the Big Ten and 12-2 overall.

“I can’t say enough about our players and their ability to adjust, step in when needed, play defense like we ask them to every day and continue to get some wins,” Stone said.

The Badgers allowed the Illini to score only 38 points, a season low for a UW opponent, 10 of which came in the last few minutes of the game.

Wisconsin had only one player in double-figure scoring, as Alyssa Karel led the Badgers with 13 points, but eight players scored four or more points.

Jefferson High graduate Lin Zastrow added nine points while Rae Lin D’Alie and Teah Gant chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. Mariah Dunham, Caitlin Gibson and Tara Steinbauer each scored four points.

UW shot just 37.2 percent (16-of-43) but held Illinois to 13-of-49 (26.5 percent) shooting. The 38 points was a season’s mark for the Badgers.

Illinois’ preseason All-Big Ten selection Jenna Smith led all scorers with 21 points, but was only 6-of-16 from the field. The Badgers held Lacey Simpson to only eight points and seven re bounds, below her season average of 12.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Smith also added seven rebounds.

“This Illinois team has one of the best post players in the country in Jenna Smith,” said Stone. “Lacey Simpson and Chelsea Gordon are both tremendous athletes and we shut them down right from the get go.

“Our players understand the game plan. We talked about staying in the paint. We wanted to pack it in the lane; it’s perfect for the pack defense. Every time Jenna Smith got it in the lane, we got the double (team). Understanding personnel was huge for this game. I’m so impressed by this team’s ability to make adjustments on the spot, whether you’re at a time out or even on the fly.”

Illinois fell to 4-10 and 0-3.

WISCONSIN 53, ILLINOIS 38

Wisconsin (53)—Dunham 1-3 2-4 4; Zastrow 1-3 6-6 9; D’Alie 3-8 0-0 8; Gant 2-3 2-4 7; Karel 4-10 3-4 13; Davis 0-1 0-0 0; Russell 1-1 2-2 4; Steinbauer 2-9 0-0 4; Trotter 0-0 0-0 0; Thomas 0-0 0-0 0; Covington 0-2 0-0 0; Gibson 2-3 0-0 4. Totals: 16-43 15-20 53.

Illinois (38)—Simpson 4-10 0-2 8; Gordon 0-3 0-0 0; Smith 6-16 9-9 21; Josil 0-2 0-0 0; McCully 1-4 0-1 2; Toone 0-4 0-0 0; Mitchell 0-1 0-0 0; Blinn 2-4 0-0 5; Rukavina 0-5 2-2 2. Totals: 13-49 11-14 38.

Wisconsin 28 25—53

Illinois 17 21—38

Three-point goals—Wisconsin 6-12 (Zastrow 1-1, D’Alie 2-5, Gant 1-1, Karel 2-5), Illinois 1-5 (Josil 0-1, McCully 0-1, Blinn 1-3). Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Wisconsin 34 (Dunham 9), Illinois 32 (Simpson 7, Smith 7). Assists—Wisconsin 9 (Gant 3), Illinois 7 (McCully 4). Total fouls—Wisconsin 16, Illinois 17.