Wisconsin dropped by Michigan State
Imani Lewis posts 1000th career point

Credit Source: University of Wisconsin Athletics

MADISON, Wis. — It was a tale of two halves as the Wisconsin women’s basketball team fell to to Michigan State, 94-62, on Sunday afternoon at the Kohl Center.

Trailing by only five points at the half (30-25), the Spartans outscored the Badgers 54-27 in the second half, including 29-11 in the fourth quarter. MSU shot 62.5% (20-32) for the second half while Wisconsin hit just 26.1% (6-23).

A highlight of the game came early in the second half when junior Imani Lewis became the 27th Badger to notch 1,000 career points. The 6-foot-1 forward finished with her third-straight double-double, recording17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Lewis shot an impressive 6-10 (.600) from the field and 5-6 (.833) from the free throw line.

Sophomore Sydney Hilliard also had a productive offensive afternoon, adding 15 points and sharing team-high honors with five assists while shooting 7-8 (.875) from the free throw line. Sophomore Julie Pospisilova also dished off five assists while scoring seven points. Transfer Estella Moschkau also added seven points.

Michigan State scored an opponent season-high points, shooting 51.5% (34-66) from the field and 86.4% (19-22) from the free-throw line. As a team, Badgers shot 18-20 (.900) from the charity stripe and 40.8% (20-49) from field goal range.

UW was hurt by its turnovers as the Spartans scored 23 points off of 16 UW turnovers while MSU had only five giveaways in the game. State also had 10 steals.

Wisconsin was outrebounding the Spartans until the fourth quarter when the visiting team finished with a 19-1 advantage. Michigan State finished the game with a 34-27 edge on the boards.

Straight from the court

Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis:
“I think in the second half our team defense wasn’t where it needed to be and they exposed that whether it be in transition, or man to man… They did a phenomenal job inside, we didn’t guard them well inside.

“(Imani is) somebody who sees the opportunity from day one to compete. From an offensive standpoint, it’s been three really different seasons playing with Marsha Howard her first year, playing with Abby (Laszewski) last year and now having Sara (Stapleton), she’s that elder stateswoman and our team looks to her. I think she likes that opportunity to be a leader. We need to rely on her setting that example even more especially on the defensive end and transition defense. I think she wants to be a really good player and I think the important part is we challenge her to do that every day in practice, not only for her own growth but for the players on the team looking up to her on how to conduct themselves and improve themselves as well.”

Junior Forward Imani Lewis:
“Everyone keeps saying it’s a huge accomplishment but, for me, I’m a chill person and laid back so I don’t really look at it as a huge accomplishment. Thank God I was able to come this far because at one point I didn’t even see a career in basketball because of my health. I made it this far but like I was telling my teammates, thanks for the congratulations but it doesn’t mean anything to me because we didn’t win the game. To me, I look at it as what didn’t I give to win the game… I’m thankful to be in this position because I know there are so many people who would die to be in this position that I’m in.”

Sophomore Guard Sydney Hilliard:
“I’m very proud of (Imani). All the hard work is starting to show for her and I think she’s been a good leader for us, and like I said I’m very proud of her.”

Up next

Wisconsin takes to the road on Thursday, traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska, to face the Cornhuskers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.