In front of over 3,000 fans at the Field House, Jane Albright's team was given a basketball tutorial in the form of a 90-70 loss, by a much older, more experienced and very talented Parana team.

Parana, led by 32-year-old, former WNBA player and current Brazilian national team member Victoria Bullet, dominated much of the game with great shooting, defense, and breakaway baskets. However, UW coach Jane Albright was not disappointed in her team's performance, because, as she informed the press, this is a team that has easily been beating all their exhibition opponents by upwards of thirty points.

"I thought we played much better basketball tonight," said Albright. "We played a great, not good, but a great team tonight."

After the starting lineups were announced to a standing ovation, Wisconsin got out of the gates quickly, jumping in front by the score of 20-11. The Badgers were seemingly in control of the game with great shooting from senior guard Kelley Paulus and freshman sensation Nina Smith.

However, this success was short-lived as Parana went on a 15-0 run that lasted over four minutes and took control of the game. Bullet and Helen Santos Luz led this run, with four and seven points, respectively, and suddenly Wisconsin was down 26-20.

For much of the remainder of the half, the two teams played back-and-forth basketball, but Wisconsin would never get closer then two points again. At the end of the first half, Parana began to pull away, mainly due to its ability to capitalize on 15 Badger turnovers, and after 20 minutes, Parana led 42-32.

Wisconsin came out inspired in the second half, scoring six straight points with baskets coming from Nina Smith, point guard Dee Dee Pate and forward Jessie Stomski, pulling within four points. But again success was short-lived as Parana quickly regained control of the game with a 15-4 run of its own, and held a 15 point lead.

For the rest of the half, Parana showed why it is a great basketball team, as it did not allow the Badgers to chip into the lead. For the final 12 minutes of the game, Parana never allowed its lead to fall below 15, which was much to the delight of the small contingent of Brazilian fans, who made their support known throughout the game with raucous singing and flag-waving.

The game ended in a very familiar fashion for the Badgers, as Cintia Santos Luz stole the ball from Tamara Moore and dished it to Helen Santos Luz, who made the layup as time ran out. Parana clearly dominated the game, but the 20-point defeat does not tell the Badgers' story.

Nina Smith was forced to play big minutes and match up with Victoria Bullet, who Smith called the best player she has ever faced.

Bullet led Parana with 25 points, seven rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and four steals while playing every minute of the game.

Parana also received strong performances from forward Vedrana Grgin, (25 points and 10 rebounds) and Helen Santos Luz, (23 points - including five threes - and seven assists).

Although Wisconsin lost the game, players were happy with the learning experience and are confident that this game helped them prepare for the season.

"I'd rather play this kind of team and lose, then play another team and kill them," claimed sophomore Jessie Stomsky, who led the Badgers with 21 points and nine rebounds.

Albright reiterated this sentiment, "I would have rather had two games like this," she said.

Even with the loss, Wisconsin fans still have reason to be hopeful, as the Badgers showed they have a very solid nucleus with which to work. Nina Smith showed why she was the No. 1 recruit in the country, and she will only get better as the season goes on. The frontcourt of Smith, Moore and Stomski should do significant damage in the Big Ten this season.

The backcourt of Pate and Paulus along with LaTonya Sims coming off the bench is also very solid, and gives the Badgers good reason to look forward to the upcoming season.

"I know we're ready, I wish we could play tomorrow," said Albright. "I feel we're perfectly where we need to be going into a long season."

She will not have to convince her players of this, because as Stomski said, "I think this season is gonna be good."