Villanova lives by the 3-point shot.

The University of Wisconsin women's basketball team's season died by it Saturday night.

The Wildcats, who have attempted more 3-point field goals than 2-pointers in 32 games this season, went 7-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second half and made 11 for the game to abruptly end the Badgers' Women's National Invitation Tournament run before it ever got going with a 60-54 victory at the UW Field House before a crowd of 1,382.

Villanova actually shot more 2s this game, attempting 28 shots from inside the arc.

But the 11 3-pointers were two more than their regular field goals, paving the way for a victory and a third-round date with the winner of Monday night's game between Colorado and Gonzaga.

"Our whole game is trading 3s for 2s," said Joe Mullaney, the Wildcats' associate coach who was in charge of the team because head coach Harry Perretta remained in Philadelphia because of a death in his family. "We made less field goals but we made 11 3s. That's our philosophy. When we make shots, it looks great."

The Wildcats have now attempted 823 three-pointers and made 317 this season, both NCAA records. They have attempted 822 2-pointers.

"We had a great game plan," UW coach Lisa Stone said of the switching defense the Badgers used. "They got hot. We lost them a couple of times and they made us pay."

The game marked the end of the Jolene Anderson era at UW. Anderson, the senior who leaves as the school's all-time leading scorer in men and women's basketball, led all scorers with 21 points. It was fitting that she scored six of the Badgers' final eight points. But she also was the only UW player to reach double figures.

"It came fast, my four years here," Anderson said as she was joined by Stone and fellow senior Janese Banks at the post-game press conference. "It's all over. It hasn't sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will.

"I'll walk away with a lot of memories and no regrets."

One lasting memory from this game will be how Villanova (17-15) took advantage of the Badgers' switching defense in the second half to take command in the final 6 ? minutes.

UW found itself at a disadvantage inside on several occasions when 5-foot-7 guard Alyssa Karel was stuck guarding 6-1 Lisa Karcic, who converted an inside basket for a 32-30 lead.

The switching approach, one Stone said was "the only way to play it," also put UW's post players on the perimeter with quicker Wildcats.

When the Badgers didn't force a Villanova player to put the ball on the floor, the Wildcats just shot over the Badgers.

Junior Briana Weiss, who hit all three of her long-range attempts in the second half, swished one to break a 45-45 tie, and the Badgers never were closer than two points after that. Kurz hit three of four 3-point attempts, including both of her tries in the second half.

Kurz finished with 15 points while Stacie Witman's 17 points paced Villanova.