Packer prolific from long range as Buckeyes handle Badgers

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Marscilla Packer made six 3-pointers and scored 32 points to lead Ohio State (No. 17 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP) to a 79-74 victory over fading Wisconsin on Sunday.

Packer had 20 points in the second half and freshman center Jantel Lavender scored 10 of her 21 points in the second to extend Ohio State's winning streak to six. Lavender also had 13 rebounds for her 10th double-double. Shavelle Little added 11 points for the Buckeyes (15-3, 6-1 Big Ten).

Janese Banks led the Badgers (8-9, 1-6) with 18 points while Jolene Anderson had 16 and freshman forward Lin Zastrow added 15, including 13 in the second half. The Badgers, expected to contend for the conference title this season, dropped their fourth straight.

Lavender broke a 55-all tie with a basket and a free throw, and Packer hit her fourth 3-pointer of the half for a six-point lead with 6:17 left.

The Badgers twice got within three, but Little drove through traffic for a layup and was fouled. She made the free throw to make it 69-63 then Lavender added a layup off a pass from Ashlee Trebilcock.

Wisconsin was down 36-29 at halftime but went on 17-10 run to tie it before Packer hit a 3-pointer to spark the Buckeyes to a 55-48 lead with 9:47 left. Banks then keyed another comeback with a 3-pointer and a layup off a steal followed by a basket from Zastrow to even the score at 55.

Ohio State was 28-of-58 from the field and made seven of 12 3-pointers. Wisconsin made 29 of 76 field goals and was 5-of-16 from 3-point range. The Badgers led in rebounds, 42-40, including a 23-14 advantage in offensive rebounds.