Feb. 24, 2000

CHICAGO - The UWM women's basketball team faced a strong challenge against Loyola in Chicago on Thursday night, but held out for a 75-72 win.

UWM improves to 14-10, 8-3 in the MCC. Loyola is 3-20, 1-11 in MCC games. After UW-Green Bay's loss to UIC on Thursday night, the Panthers are one game out of first place in the MCC

"This is a big wakeup call for us," said UWM coach Sandy Botham. "Loyola is a better team than their record indicates."

The Panthers were led by a season-high 24 points and eight assists by Daryl Schaffeld. But her biggest play came on defense during the final seconds of the game.

Loyola had the ball, down by one, 73-72, with 18 seconds remaining. Schaffeld tied up Rambler point guard Tracy Hoffmann to force a jumpball with 1.9 seconds remaining. UWM gained possession on the play.

"We were trying to foul, because we had a foul to give," said Botham. "But we got a jump ball instead."

UWM also saw double-digit scoring from Jessica Wilhite (18 points), Kelly Lubbers (11 points) and Corrin Von Wald (10 points).

UWM broke a 44-44 tie early in the second half by going on a 9-0 run to take a 53-44 lead with 15:00 minutes remaining in the second half. But the Ramblers mounted a steady comeback, coming to within one point, 73-72, with 1:03 remaining.

The Ramblers scored the first 10 points of the game, but UWM battled back, cutting the deficit to one point, 14-13, with 13:10 remaining in the first half. The Panthers posted their first lead of the game, 37-35, with 1:30 remaining in the first half, but Loyola took a 40-3 lead into halftime on the strength of a 22-14 rebounding advantage.

"Loyola came right at us," said Botham. "We had to play catch-up most of the first half."

Schaffeld paced UWM in the first half, scoring 11 points. Loyola's Misty Clark had a double-double by halftime, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds.

The Panthers play at Illinois-Chicago on Saturday.