The moon wasn’t the only thing being eclipsed Wednesday night, as Wisconsin senior guard Jolene Anderson needed just 14 points to take over Alando Tucker’s Wisconsin all-time scoring record en route to a 81-51 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers.
All 5,484 fans in attendance were electric with anticipation at the Kohl Center Wednesday, waiting for the senior guard’s record-breaking point.
After passing up several opportunities to break the record, Anderson sunk a spot-up 15-footer with 8:52 remaining in the game to claim yet another record in her outstanding career at UW.
“Once that shot went in I knew it was for [the record] and I just thought ‘Thank God it’s over with,’” Anderson said.
Anderson has always humbly accepted praise, knowing that her success is just one small part of the big picture for the team. She shrugged off the record, remaining focused on the rest of the season.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. It will probably sink in when I graduate and I’m away from the University of Wisconsin, but right now it’s just finishing the season strong,” she said.
“Congratulations to Jolene Anderson. I think she’s a fantastic player who really has taken Wisconsin to a whole other level,” Indiana head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said.
Wisconsin is finishing the season strong, as Anderson led the Badgers with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in a trouncing of the Hoosiers Wednesday night.
“And my hat’s off to Wisconsin in tonight’s game. They really played hard for their coach and for each other.”
The win was Wisconsin’s sixth in its last eight games.
Senior forward Danielle Ward chipped in 14 points and sophomore forward Mariah Dunham added 11 as nine Badgers scored in the contest.
“We had tremendous balanced scoring,” Stone said. “We got great bench production once again—Mariah, Lin [Zastrow] and Alyssa [Karel] really gave us a lift.”
The chilly conditions outside had no affect on the home team, as Wisconsin jumped out to a 17-2 lead to start the game.
Up 14 at the half, Wisconsin came out in the second period just as hot. Key offensive rebounds by the Badgers halted any momentum the Hoosiers could muster. Senior guard Janese Banks grabbed five of the team’s 15 offensive caroms as the Badgers out-rebounded the Hoosiers 41-24.
The Badgers finished shooting 51 percent on the night and cruised to the 30-point victory to complement Anderson’s record-setting night.
Next up for the Badgers is the second chapter of the Border Battle with Minnesota. Wisconsin will travel to Williams Arena Saturday to take on the Golden Gophers at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
