Jan. 19, 2000
Milwaukee - Despite a well-balanced attack, the UW-Milwaukee women?s basketball team fell to a scrappy Valparaiso team, 95-84, in double overtime Wednesday evening.
The Panthers (6-8) came out strong in the first half with defensive intensity and a stifling press. UW-Milwaukee opened up a 45-31 lead at the half.
In the second half, Valparaiso seemed to mimic the Panther defensive press and caused disruptions for the UWM offense. UW-Milwaukee was outscored 40-26 in the half, but was able to force overtime on a last second blocked shot by freshman Elizabeth Fletcher.
?That press kept us from scoring, I felt like we were much more effective early on when we were in the attack mode,? said Panther head coach Sandy Botham.
In the first overtime, the Panthers were able to keep it close with a record night from the free throw line. As a team, UWM hit 36 free throws, only two short of the all-time record. Corrin Von Wald led the way by shooting 18 of 18 from the charity stripe, setting the all-time individual record at UWM. 18 of 18 free throws is second all-time in NCAA history. Von Wald led the team in scoring with 22 points overall.
Junior guard Teri Stoltenberg hit two of her 15 points from the free throw line with 24 seconds left in the first overtime to send the game to its second extra period.
In the second overtime, UW-Milwaukee was unable to counter the fresh legs and constant subbing of the Valparaiso Crusaders and were outscored 12-1 in the final period.
?It?s not the end of the world, we have our whole conference season ahead of us,? said Botham.
Senior guard Daryl Schaffeld scored 14 points to accompany her four assists, junior forward Nicole Luchsinger chipped in with 13 points and eight boards and freshman guard Jessica Wilhite had 11 points.
Jill Campbell led the way for the Crusaders with 21 points and four assists. Megan Newcomer scored 17 points of her own off the bench to help guide the team to its tenth win of the season.
The Panthers face off against interstate rival and MCC foe, UW-Green Bay at the Klotsche Center Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
