IU fends off Wisconsin down the stretch, snaps losing streak

Looking to end its five game losing streak and its shooting woes, the schedule-makers gave IU the perfect team -- Wisconsin.\nThe Badgers give up a 73.2-points-per-game average and even though they only gave up 71 Thursday, it was enough for the Hoosiers to notch a 71-66 win over Wisconsin in Assembly Hall. \nDespite building a lead as large as 18 points in the second half, the Hoosiers (9-11, Big Ten 2-8) had to worry about the Badgers in the closing minutes. \nWith just more than a minute remaining, Wisconsin (8-11, Big Ten 2-7) had whittled the IU lead to just six at 66-60.\nInstead of folding under the pressure, the Hoosiers knocked down seven free throws in the final 40 seconds, moving IU out of the cellar in the Big Ten's standings.\nCoach Kathi Bennett said 13 minutes of consistent play during the end of the first half and the second-half start were both significant for the Hoosiers.\n"I thought the start of the second half was the difference in the game," Bennett said. "We came out very ready and got the big lead and extended it."\nTo start the second half, IU was white-hot as they went on a 14-4 run in the first five minutes to extend the lead to 14.\nSophomore guard Annika Boyd contributed five of her 10 points during the run, including a three that gave IU a 59-43 lead that halted the Badgers' run.\nFinding a way to get back to her earlier form in the season was important in the win, she said.\n"It feels really good to comeback and help our team out somewhat on offense," Boyd said. "Because I went on a long draught (for much of the season), hopefully (the draught) is now over."\nAfter struggling throughout much of the conference to establish a post presence, the Hoosiers found it Thursday and went back to it time and time again.\nSophomore center Sarah McKay, who missed five games during conference play with an injury, made her first significant contribution since.\nMcKay used her 6'7" frame to chip in 10 points en route to a 31-27 IU lead at the break.\nEven though she contributed only one point in the second half, having a big first half proved to her team that she was ready to help them during the final stretch of the season, McKay said.\n"It was really nice for me to come out and not play as timid as I had been in the past few games since I've been back." she said. "This game, I think I proved that I am going to go after it."\nAssisting McKay in the post were senior forward Jamie Gathing and junior center Angela Hawkins, chipping in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Junior guard Cyndi Valentin led IU with 14 points.\nIU will need the frontcourt play to continue in its next game against No. 2 Ohio State Sunday at 3 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.\nThe last time they met, it wasn't pretty for the Hoosiers, as they were held to eight points in the first half en route to a 52-30 loss. \nBoyd said getting a win before facing off with one of the best teams in the country provides the team with new hope.\n"It is so nice to come off a win," she said. "It is like a fresh start."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.