On paper, the Lady Lions would have blown out Wisconsin just like they did in their last meeting when the Lions won by 44 points on Jan. 17.
But games aren't played on paper, and tonight demonstrated why as Wisconsin pulled off the upset against the Lions, winning 63-61.
Coming into the game, the Lions were ranked No. 7 in the country compared to Wisconsin, a team that has struggled severely this season with a 9-11 record, going 1-6 in the Big Ten.
Yet, somehow, some way, the Badgers found themselves leading, 63-61, with five seconds to go with the Lions holding possession. At which point, head coach Coquese Washington called a timeout.
The play that came out of the timeout was designed for an Alex Bentley drive to the basket in attempt to tie the game with a layup and potentially send it into overtime.
Unfortunately, for the Lions and Bentley, the shot did not fall. While questions can surround the play call as Bentley shot 25 percent for the game, the fact will remain the same, the Lions lost.
The biggest difference from the Jan. 17 blowout and Thursday night was the frontcourt presence.
On Jan. 17, the post dominated the game, scoring 52 points of the 84 in the paint. The majority of those points came from senior Nikki Greene, who scored 23 points that night.
How many did Greene score tonight? One.
The Badgers made the 6-foot-4 center a non-factor, as Greene attempted only two shots, and scored her only points from the foul line as she shot 1-for-4 from the line.
Yet, Greene wasn't the only member of the Lions squad that did not provide much in points as only five out of the ten players -- who tallied minutes -- scored more than two points.
Maggie Lucas, Dara Taylor and Mia Nickson combined to score 39 out of the Lions 61 points.
Bentley and junior forward Ariel Edwards were the only two Lions to score more than two points. Bentley scored nine and Edwards tallied seven points individually.
The Lions (17-3, 7-1) will now look to rebound in time for No. 14 Purdue Monday night.
