Bennett, seniors end careers with tough loss

As time expired in the second overtime of the Hoosiers' first-round loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, so did the career of IU coach Kathi Bennett. \nIU's 75-74 double-overtime loss to the Badgers Thursday afternoon put an end to Bennett's five-year run with the Hoosiers. \n"My time at Indiana has been tremendous," Bennett said. "It's definitely difficult to end on a note like this game because it so difficult to swallow."\nWith the announcement of Bennett's resignation on Tuesday the Hoosiers had the difficult task of focusing on ninth-seeded Wisconsin and the Big Ten Tournament. \nAs tears rolled down junior Cyndi Valentin's face, reality hit that Bennett was no longer going to be a part of Indiana's future. Valentin was thankful for Bennett's hard work as head coach at IU.\n"It's really hard (losing coach Bennett)," Valentin said. "I think that coach Bennett did a great job at Indiana and has done a lot for our program."\nThursday's loss also brought the end to the careers of two seniors. Forward Jamie Gathing ended the night with six points and eight rebounds, while guard LeeAnn Stephenson netted nine points and recorded four assists. \nGathing, who spent six seasons with the Hoosiers -- two medical redshirt seasons -- was the squad's emotional leader on the court. Stephenson, on the other hand, was the catalyst to a solid backcourt and proved to be a threat on both ends of the floor.\nDespite the loss of Bennett and the senior duo of Gathing and Stephenson, the cream and crimson can look ahead to a bright future. With twelve players returning for the Hoosiers next season, including senior Jenny DeMuth, Indiana will sport one of the most experienced of squads in the Big Ten.\n"We ended the season really strong," Valentin said. "Everyone's game got better throughout the season and having everyone back next season including Jenny will definitely help."\nValentin, the Hoosiers' leading scorer this season with 15.0 points per game, is among the twelve returning players for IU. Junior Angela Hawkins, who finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds against Wisconsin Thursday afternoon, anchors a strong returning contingent of post players including sophomores Jamey Chapman and Sarah McKay as well as junior Bridgett Branson. \nAlthough Bennett's resignation made headlines at the Big Ten Tournament Thursday, players and coaches throughout the conference gave praise to the Hoosiers for their strong showing against the Badgers. \n"Hats off to Indiana," said Wisconsin coach Lisa Stone. "Under the circumstances, I thought they played very inspired and a tremendous game. Kathi coached the game like she's coached all her other games and I am proud to have coached against her."\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.