The women's basketball team traveled to Cleveland Friday, earning a season-opening road victory over host Cleveland State, 82-62. Senior guard Jolene Anderson continued to shine, posting a career-high 37 points, third all-time for a single game in UW history.

Although the final score was a wide margin, the game was close throughout. CSU was down only three with six minutes remaining until UW went on a raging 21-4 run to close out the game. The atmosphere was quite different than the Badgers were used to as they played in front of hundreds — instead of thousands — of fans, the most notable of whom was Wisconsin football alumnus and current Cleveland Brown Joe Thomas.

"We demonstrated a lot of character on the road in a tough environment — not a lot of people were there," head coach Lisa Stone said regarding what most impressed her about Friday's game. "Going against a team under the radar, [and] five players from Wisconsin, [CSU] was really inspired to play us."

The Vikings posted a defiant test for the Badgers, offering a different look than the team was used to seeing. CSU played five guards for most periods during the game. These size differences and variable skill sets posed a serious matchup problem for the formidable Badger forwards and centers, ultimately reducing their playing time.

"We had to go small," Stone said. "[It was] more a game for Tara Steinbauer and Brittany Heins, coming off the bench."

Anderson's performance undoubtedly was the difference in the game. Her performances to date have earned her national recognition as she has been nominated for the 2007-08 Women's Wooden Award.

"The last seven minutes of the game we played very well, and Jolene put the team on her back, no question," Stone said. "She got some things done for us, and I was very encouraged by that."

 

Freshmen formidable in opener

The Badger freshmen, coming off a strong exhibition season, got their chance to unveil themselves at the collegiate level Friday. Although exhibition stars Alyssa Karel and Lin Zastrow didn't fill out the stat sheet, Tara Steinbauer posted nine points and eight rebounds to go along with two assists.

At it was their first real game and first game away from the Kohl Center, nervous jitters were expected from the Badger youth.
"I don't think they were nervous. [Playing on the road] is just different," Stone said. "Tara really stepped out, and it was a game for her to shine. She got on the glass, she has great hands, and she can finish inside."

Aside from playing in front of a small and opposing crowd, Zastrow and Karel had to become accustomed to playing different roles. Zastrow was forced to the outside due to the size matchups, while Karel had to share the court with starting guard Rae Lin D'Alie.

"Alyssa ended up in a position she's not familiar with at the end of the game," Stone said. "I liked having Rae Lin and Alyssa on the floor at the same time."

The versatility of these up-and-coming Badger stars will prove vital to the team the remainder of this young season and come mid-March.

"They are the first players off the bench, [and] they give us a lot of options," Stone said about the freshmen. "I'm very excited about our freshman class."

 

Plenty of time to improve before next game

Wisconsin will next face off against Marquette this Saturday, giving the team an unprecedented week off from game play. With some extra time off, the goal is to tie up the loose ends and perfect each individual aspect of the game.

"[Coming] off the exhibition season and the first one on the road, this week to prepare for Marquette is necessary," Stone said about the timing of this early break. "It's nice to go back on some things, and in terms of teaching, to get back to work defensively."

Coming off a fairly solid statistical performance, winning by 20 and only turning the ball over 13 times, the question is where the focus will be aimed in practice. There are some things that cannot be taught on the practice floor, such as poise and mentality late in close games.

"Defensively, we need to work on our on-ball defense, something that I think every coach in America is addressing," Stone said. "[We] need to develop a mentality on the road."

While the rest of the Big Ten teams plays their third or fourth game this week, the Badgers will be content knowing they are getting better.

"We need to work on our individual needs as far as our team defense," Stone said. "I think it's a great week for us to watch film, learn and grow together."