Fouls and Rebounds Hurt Lady Badgers

The intra-state rivalry between Marquette and Wisconsin may take on a more significant meaning when it's the men's team, but the battle between the two women's squads is also key. And a key to Marquette's 66-52 victory over Wisconsin was fouls and rebounds.

If you look at just the stat line it doesn't take much to figure out how the Golden Eagles downed the Badgers. It was at the free throw strip that the ladies from Marquette won the game.

Out-shooting, and out-scoring the lady Badgers almost three to one. Wisconsin was called for 22 fouls in Wednesday night's meeting. Sending Marquette to the line 23 times; which they turned into 13 points. In a game with a margin of twelve points that is quite the margin. Especially with the Lady Badgers only making two out of the eight attempts they were granted on the night.

Rebounds also played a key part of the final score in many ways. Marquette was able to out-rebound the Badgers on the boards at a rate of almost two to one. With 42 rebounds on the night the Golden Eagles were able to limit the Lady Badgers second chance opportunities on a night when shooting was at a premium.

A surprising little fact from Wednesday night's game is that the Badgers actually outscored the Golden Eagles. Even with the Golden Eagles out-rebounding the Badgers at a high rate.

Led by senior Tara Steinbauer's team high eleven points the Lady Badgers were able to score 32 points in the paint. Ten points higher than the Golden Eagles, and a statistic that the Lady Badgers were able to dominate. Just not enough to win the game.

Another reason for the Badgers domination in the paint was the play of freshman Taylor Wurtz who recorded her first double-double against Marquette. Combined with ten points the freshman guard was able to take down ten rebounds. But that wasn't the only high point of the game for the Badgers.

Despite the final score the Lady Badgers were able to make a game of it late. Coming all the way back from a 17 point deficit the Badgers were tied the game in the second half. The Badgers would stay withing eight points, but would never get any closer after that. The Golden Eagles would own the last 14 minutes of the game, and go on to win the game 66-52