Nov. 27, 2009
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EUGENE, Ore. -- Three Badgers finished in double figures, including a double-double by sophomore Anya Covington as Wisconsin cruised to a 75-51 victory over Portland State in the opening game of the World Vision Invitational Friday.
Wisconsin 75, Portland State 51
| 1st | 2nd | Final |
| Portland State (2-3) | 19 | 32 | 51 |
| Wisconsin (4-1) | 37 | 38 | 75 |
| Statistical Leaders |
| Points: Anya Covington (UW) 13 points | Kelli Valentine (PSU) 9 points |
| Rebounds: Anya Covington (UW) 10 rebounds | Katy Wade (PSU) 10 rebounds |
| Assists: Taylor Wurtz (UW) 4 assists | Claire Faucher (PSU) 7 assists |
Covington scored a career-high 13 points and had 10 rebounds off the bench for the Badgers (4-1). Alyssa Karel added 11 points while Rae Lin D’Alie finished with 10 points. Wisconsin had a strong game offensively, going 28-of-53 from the field for 52.8 percent.
Portland State (2-3) struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 17.6 percent on 6-of-34 from the field. The Vikings turned it around in the second half at 37.1 percent, but finished at 27.5 percent for the game (19-of-69). Portland State hit its 3-pointers though, connecting seven times from behind the arc.
After totaling just 26 rebounds against Green Bay Tuesday night, the Badgers dominated the glass Friday, out-rebounding the Vikings 50-26. Covington led Wisconsin with 10 boards while Katy Wade also had 10 rebounds for Portland State.
The Badgers turned the ball over 16 times compared to just three turnovers for the Vikings. Portland State’s first turnover did not come until the 15:15 mark of the second half.
Wisconsin dominated from the start and took an 11-point lead (13-2), holding the Vikings scoreless for nearly five minutes (17:16 to 12:24). The Vikings cut the lead to eight after Faucher made a 3-pointer, but that would be the closest they got the rest of the half and the rest of the game. The Badgers led by as many as 20 points before the break and finished the first frame 14-of-26 from the field for 53.8 percent.
Portland State came out with more energy in the second half and pulled within 13 points (41-28) at the 16:48 mark. Wisconsin did not let the Vikings back in though and got back out to a 24-point lead, outscoring them 13-2 in the process. Despite the lead, Portland State played Wisconsin tough and came within 15 points at the 5:52 mark (64-49), but the Badgers out-scored the Vikings 11-2 the rest of the way to tally their first win in Eugene, Ore.
Wisconsin returns to action tomorrow when it plays host Oregon. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on McArthur Court.
Notable: Tara Steinbauer went 8-of-8 from the free throw line to remain perfect on the season … Steinbauer was 8-of-8 on the season before today’s game, bringing her season total to 16-for-16 … her 8 made free throws is a new career high … Anya Covington had a career-high 13 points and a career best five made field goals … her 13 points and 10 rebounds mark her first career double-double … Wisconsin’s 50 rebounds is a new season high as well as the Badgers’ 75 points scored … the Badgers had 30 rebounds by the end of the first half, eclipsing their total of 26 rebounds against Green Bay Tuesday night … Portland State had just 19 points in the first half, a new season low for UW opponents in the first frame … Taylor Wurtz had a career-high five rebounds, beating her previous best of four boards, which she tallied in three games … Wurtz also had a career-high four assists ... the Badgers’ 52.8 percent field goal percentage is a season high … Wisconsin went 15-of-17 from the free throw line for 88.2 percent, which is another season high … Ashley Thomas played in her first game this season and went a perfect 3-of-3 from the field for six points, which ties a career high … Portland State’s three turnovers is a season low for UW opponents
