March 9, 2000

Detroit - This wasn't the way the Panthers planned it.

The No. 2 seeded UWM women's basketball team lost to No. 7 Cleveland State, 73-68, in the quarterfinals of the MCC Tournament on Thursday.

Corrin Von Wald led UWM with her third double-double in four games. She scored 17 points and collected a game-high 11 rebounds. Kelly Lubbers added 13 points and seven rebounds. Daryl Schaffeld scored 12 on four three-pointers.

The teams were tied, 64-64 with 4:02 remaining in the game, but the Vikings' Juli Grant scored a three-pointer to give CSU the lead for good. Grant scored a game-high and career-best 19 points.

"They hit big shots down the stretch," said UWM coach Sandy Botham. "They came to play tonight. Juli Grant was the difference in the game."

The Panthers, who finish the season at 16-12, trailed by three with 18 seconds remaining, but a three-point shot was off the mark.

"We've taken steps as a program," said Botham. "Our quest for next year begins now. We're getting to the championship next year. It's not about potential anymore. We're just going to do it."

The game marked the end of three Panthers' careers: Schaffeld, Lubbers and Latasha Love, who scored 2 points and collected a season-best five rebounds in the game.