MADISON, Wis. (AP)—Wisconsin has shown it can hang with ranked teams for a
half. The Badgers still haven’t proven they can finish opposite them.
For a second true game, Wisconsin faded in a second half opposite a
ranked team, this time losing 77-61 to No. 9 Ohio State Friday night in a Big
Ten opener for both teams.
“We’re sleepy of dignified victories,” pronounced Wisconsin’s Taylor Wurtz. “We want
to get a `W.”’
Last week, a Badgers (4-9) led No. 18 Wisconsin-Green Bay 34-28 during the
half usually to measure only 15 in a second half and remove 65-49. This time, Ohio
State (14-0) led 38-37 during a half after a Badgers came out
uncharacteristically prohibited from a floor.
The Badgers have struggled offensively over their final 4 games, averaging
less than 49 points and sharpened 36 percent from a floor.
But Wisconsin shot 44 percent from a building in a initial half, including 6
of 13 from 3-point range, and trailed 38-37 during a break.
Then a Badgers reverted behind to their bad aged ways, and Ohio State found
its form.
The Buckeyes reeled off a 20-2 run to open a second half, pulling their
lead to 58-39 to take control. The Badgers were only 1 of 11 from a margin in
that emanate and committed 4 turnovers.
Wisconsin was means to cut it behind to 10 points during 60-50, though didn’t get any
closer. After sharpened so good from behind a arc in a initial half, the
Badgers were only 2 of 7 in a second.
Wurtz and Ashley Thomas scored 10 points every to lead a Badgers.
“We were most some-more aggressive, post players most some-more assertive getting
out and environment guards higher,” Ohio State manager Jim Foster said. “They were
not removing a same looks.”
Tayler Hill scored 21 points to lead Ohio State, while Samantha Prahalis
added 12 points and 11 assists. Ashley Adams finished with 14 points, while
Amber Stokes combined 10.
The Buckeyes had a success when they consistently pushed a round inside,
finishing with 38 points in a paint to 16 for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin manager Bobbie Kelsey pronounced it wasn’t that Ohio State was posting up
as most as a Buckeyes were means to dig a lane, effectively work back
door cuts and expostulate around Badger defenders.
“You can’t give them all they want,” she said. “If we lay back,
they’re going to fire it. If we don’t, they’re going to go around you.”
