March 4, 2000
Milwaukee - On senior day at the Klotsche Center, the UWM women's basketball team finished the regular season with a win over conference-foe, Wright State on Saturday, 75-68.
In her final home appearance, senior guard Daryl Schaffeld didn't disappoint. The MCC's most prolific three-point shooter of all-time ignited the Panther offense by scoring UWM's first six points on two long-distance three-pointers, setting the tone early. The Panthers (16-11) took a 9-point lead into the break, 38-29.
"They're a scrappy team," said Panther coach Sandy Botham. "This is a big win for us because they never quit."
In the second half, the Wright State Raiders came out determined to spoil the Panthers' plans with a senior of their own. The Raiders were able to claw their way back into the game, primarily on the shooting of senior forward Lenora Combs who had 22 points. Wright State took the lead, 60-59, with 4:18 remaining.
From there, the Panthers looked determined to finish off their conference rivals. With just under four minutes remaining, UWM came out of a timeout, and junior forward Nicole Luchsinger, who tied for the team high with 16 points, hit a shot and was fouled. After she hit her free throw, the Panthers went up 62-60, and would never trail again.
"Nicole's three-point play with four minutes remaining was a momentum shifter for us," said Botham. "She was just trying to attack the basket and be aggressive down the stretch."
Schaffeld also scored 16 points, including 4-8 from three-point land, to go along with her team-high five assists. Her four three-pointers put her at 60 for the season, which is the most in UW-Milwaukee history. She finished her regular season career with 220 three pointers, first in UWM and MCC history.
The Panthers finished the regular season in second place in the MCC. UWM has won 5 of its last 7 games and is looking forward to the MCC tournament in Detroit next Saturday.
"We've beaten every team in the conference, but we can't look too far ahead," said Botham. "We have the potential to do it if we're able to put it together."
