Dec. 30, 2000

MILWAUKEE--The UWM women's basketball team dropped its first home game of the season Saturday afternoon to Missouri, 88-64, at the Klotsche Center.

"I'm disappointed we lost. I thought our effort was good and we stuck with it throughout the whole game," said UWM coach Sandy Botham. "We had a great run to cut their lead to 10, so I thought there were some good things."

After a brief opening UWM lead in the first half, Missouri went on a 16-0 run to take the reins from the Panthers. Between a few UWM buckets, the Tigers continued with a 15-2 run to widen the lead at 31-11. The Panthers narrowed the gap down to 10 points with 3:41 left off a couple of Jessica Wilhite 3-pointers and free-throws, as well as jumpers from Angela Wenzel, Holly Tamm, and Maria Viall. The Tigers streaked again to end the half at 46-27 over the Panthers.

UWM shot 31 percent from the field and 30 percent from the arc in the first half while Missouri shot 57 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The Tigers were perfect from the line, making 10-of-10 free throws. The Panthers only converted 4-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Though UWM shot slightly less effective in the second half, it did improve on the free throw line. The Panthers became more aggressive in driving to the hoop and getting fouled, as they made 32 trips to the line. Senior Nicole Luchsinger's 10-of-10 from the line in the second half boosted UWM to 63 percent accuracy. Missouri made 24 trips to the line, but converted 22 of those attempts to finish at 92 percent.

The Panthers finished with a 30.8 FG percentage and a 23.5 3-point FG percentage, while Missouri maintained its consistency of 57 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The Tigers were stronger on the boards, grabbing 39 rebounds to UWM's 30. However, UWM committed 18 turnovers compared with Missouri's 25, and recorded 15 steals to the Tigers' five.

"We didn't shoot as well as we have been at home. We got down early, and sometimes when you get down early you loose your patience. We then tried to hurry things up on the floor, and rushed our shots," said Botham. "When you play good teams like Missouri, you have to hit your shots."

Luchsinger finished with a career-high 19 points to lead the Panthers, while Wilhite recorded 17 points on 4-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard also tallied game-highs with nine rebounds and six steals. Viall also figured in double-digits for UWM, contributing 11 points as well as four blocks and three steals.

Missouri had four players finish in double-figures and were led by Amanda Lassiter's game-high 21 points. Lassiter shot well for the Tigers on 6-of-12 from the floor, including 2-of-3 3-pointers. She grabbed seven rebounds while recording four assists, three blocks, and two steals in 29 minutes.

UWM travels out west for a pair of road games in California to celebrate the New Year. The Panthers visit Saint Mary's on January 3 and San Francisco on January 5 before returning home for MCC play against Cleveland State on January 11 at 7 p.m.