UW Takes on Purdue in Big Ten Opener
December 30, 2004 | Women's Basketball
After a two-week break, the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team (5-4) is back in action tonight as it gears up for a 7 p.m. game against No. 20 Purdue (7-3) at the Kohl Center in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.
The Badgers are 5-0 at home this year and hope to extend that streak while snapping a three-game losing streak to the Boilermakers.
'There's great tradition of success and excellence (with Purdue),' head coach Lisa Stone said. 'I like the fact that we have this entire week to prepare for them. We're excited about being at home.'
An integral part of UW's success is due to freshman Jolene Anderson. She has scored 29 points in each of the past two games, and her 18.7 ppg is second in the Big Ten. In addition, she is third in assists per game (4.67) and 3-point baskets made (2.22).
Classmate Janese Banks also has been hot lately, scoring in double figures in four of the past five games, including 23 against Santa Clara on Dec. 16. She paces the squad with a .903 free-throw percentage (28-of-31).
As a team, the Badgers rank third in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage with .359. They will face a Purdue team that is second best in the league in 3-point defense, which limits opponents to 28.7 percent.
On the offensive end, the Boilermakers are led in scoring by sophomore forward Erin Lawless and sophomore guard/forward Katie Gearlds, who are averaging 16.0 and 13.1 ppg, respectively.
Senior center Emily Heikes, who has a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game, joins Lawless and Gearlds as Purdue's 'Big Three.'
'Not to make light of any other players, but (Purdue has) got ' three great players,' Stone said. 'Lawless obviously is playing tremendously well, Heikes ' is a force inside, and obviously Katie Gearlds (is outstanding).'
The contest tonight for Wisconsin will be the last of its four-game home stand.
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