Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1997

Badgers halt skid in Field House farewell; Spartans struggling

By CHRIS MASSE
Collegian Sports Writer

After winning its first nine games and moving up to No. 8 in the country earlier this season, the Wisconsin women's basketball team found itself being labeled the team to beat in the Big Ten.

The No. 14 Badgers responded to the pressure by dropping their first three conference games and falling far behind Big Ten leader No. 8 Illinois. Included in the three-game slide was an 86-71 drubbing at the hands of Penn State.

But with its season close to bursting into a ball of flames, Wisconsin (12-4, 1-3 Big Ten) regrouped and stormed to two straight impressive wins against Indiana and No. 18 Western Kentucky by a combined 29 points. As they have done all year, sharpshooter Katie Voigt and inside force Ann Klapperich led the charge in both games. Against Western Kentucky, the inside-outside combination teamed up for 32 points and helped put away the Lady Toppers early.

"Mentally I think we have gotten a lot tougher," Wisconsin coach Jane Albright-Dieterle said. "I think it certainly proves we have a lot of heart and desire."

Beating Western Kentucky was extra special for the Badgers because it was their last game at the UW Field House. Starting Tuesday against Big Ten rival Iowa, Wisconsin will play home games at the Kohl Center. After shaking off the nerves of playing in its building for the final time, Wisconsin hammered the Lady Toppers. The Badgers' tenacious defense forced 25 turnovers and ensured the last game at the Field House would be a memorable one.

"I think people talk about days and then I think you remember special moments," Albright-Dieterle said. "And certainly this was a moment for our team."

Demise of a champion
Last year Michigan State was the surprise team of the year, coming out of no where to claim a share of the Big Ten championship along with Illinois and Purdue. This year, though, is a different story as the Spartans have struggled to put a winning streak together.

Sunday, Michigan State (7-9, 1-5) hit rock bottom, dropping an 81-73 decision to perennial Big Ten doormat Minnesota (4-11, 1-4) on its home court. The win was just the second conference victory in 32 attempts for the Gophers.

More shocking than the loss was the way in which Minnesota dominated the Spartans. The defending Big Ten champions were never in the game and trailed by as many as 18 in the second half. After the Spartans fell behind 50-32, coach Karen Langeland pulled her starters and replaced them with five freshmen.

"Minnesota came out and obviously wanted the game more than we did," Langeland said. "We have absolutely no excuse for how we played. It was an embarrassing performance on our part."

Heartbreak hotel
The Michigan Wolverines have to be kicking themselves. Although they stand at 11-5, the five games the Wolverines have lost, including an 85-84 overtime decision to Penn State, have been by a combined total of 11 points. A couple more baskets here and there and Michigan would be perched atop the Big Ten.

Michigan's string of agonizing defeats continued Sunday at Illinois, as they dropped a 66-63 gut-wrencher. Point guard Anne Thorius's 3-point try was off the mark in a last-second attempt to send the game into overtime. Big Ten Player of the Year Ashley Berggren helped seal the game with a clutch jumper with 52 seconds remaining.

"I told my team I was proud of the way they played," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "We were down by 13 and clawed all the way back. We just didn't execute down the stretch."