Defense key in 52-51 win

INDIANAPOLIS -- Defense is nothing new for this group of players. Defense has been the cornerstone of the IU women's basketball team ever since coach Kathi Bennett took over the helm three years ago. \nAnd defense was a major factor in IU's opening round win over Wisconsin, 52-51, in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday at Conseco Fieldhouse, as the Hoosiers squeaked past the Badgers. IU (13-14, 5-11 Big Ten) came out focused defensively in the first half and was determined to establish the tone of game on that side of the ball. IU's stingy defense limited the Badgers (7-21, 5-11) to a mere 18 points in the first half, and the Hoosiers held Wisconsin to 24 percent shooting from the field in the first. Wisconsin only converted six field goals in the first, compared to IU's 10. As a result, IU entered the half with a 10-point lead.\n"Our energy was great on defense in the first," Bennett said. "I mean -- you can see the size difference. They are a lot taller than us. We did a better job with perimeter defense in the first than the second."\nPrior to this contest, the Hoosiers led the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (39 percent). They also ranked fourth in the conference in scoring defense allowing a little less than 63 points per game. \nIU limited Wisconsin to 40 percent (22-55) field goal shooting in the contest. In addition the Badgers only connected on one three-pointer in the entire game. The Hoosiers were able to hold the Badgers in check in the first period, but Wisconsin responded defensively in the second half. The Badgers used a 2-3 zone to hold IU scoreless for nearly eight minutes in the second. Meanwhile Wisconsin went on a major run in the second to erase the double-digit halftime deficit. The Badgers were able to utilize the length of 6-foot-7 junior center Lello Gebisa and 6-foot-3 sophomore forward Ebba Gebisa in the zone to stifle the Hoosiers' offensive sets. Overall Wisconsin held IU to 24 points in the second. \nBennett was more dissatisfied with her team's defense in the second.\n"We had no intensity in the second half," Bennett said. "Our ball pressure was bad. How we were fighting in the post was bad. We just lost our intensity, and we had defensive breakdowns. I think they got three put-backs in a row. That really hurt us. We needed to change the way we were playing defense."\nHowever IU's defense stepped to the forefront when it mattered most on Thursday. After a made free throw by Lello Gebisa with 1:04 left, the Hoosiers held Wisconsin scoreless for the remainder of the game.\nThe IU players know the importance of solid defense and how it leads to other opportunities.\n"We know we have to play hard on defense," senior guard Kristen Bodine said. "We got beat on the boards in the second. Sometimes we struggle on offense. When that happens we need our defense to spark our offense."\nIn the first, IU's defense sparked its offense, as the Hoosiers connected on four three-pointers and attempted to push the ball down the floor.\nBennett has engrained the concept of true defense into her players' heads and it has paid dividends.\n"No matter what, defense wins games," freshman guard Kali Kullberg said. "We got a stop in the second and built off of that. Stops turn the game around"