Jan. 26, 2002
Green Bay - UW-Green Bay (14-5, 8-0 Horizon) forced overtime and then ran away past UWM (13-6, 7-1 Horizon), 83-75, Saturday afternoon at the Phoenix Sports Center. The Panthers' nine-game winning streak came to an end as they lost the battle of first place in the Horizon League.
Milwaukee led for most of the game, but Green Bay scored seven straight points to tie it up at 73 a piece and force overtime. Malika Willoughby hit a jumper to make it 75-all with 3:10 to go in the game, but that came as UWM's only basket past regulation. Green Bay scored the final eight points, including the last three on free throws, to take the edge over Milwaukee.
"We knew it was going to be a great game," UWM coach Sandy Botham said. "It was a very even game in the first and second half, but they made their shots in overtime. We're disappointed with a loss, but it's not the end all. We have a lot of season left."
Maria Viall led UWM with a double-double, recording 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Jessica Wilhite scored 17 points, while Angela Wenzel added 11 off the bench and Willoughby chipped in 10. Amanda Leonhard scored a game-high 25 points, while Sara Boyer scored 16. Mandy Stowe added 15 points and Kristy Loiselle pitched in 14.
Both teams shot well through regulation, but Milwaukee made just 1-of-6 from the field in overtime. The Panthers finished shooting 47 percent from the field and Green Bay ended on 45 percent. The opportunities came at the line for the Phoenix as they connected on 18-of-25, while UWM made just 4-of-11 free throws.
The Panthers led by 12 points in the first half, but Green Bay closed it down to trail 38-37 at halftime following a 12-1 run. Milwaukee then led by eight points with four minutes to go in the second half after a three-point play from Holly Tamm. But Leonhard and Loiselle charged Green Bay's comeback with a 9-1 run to force overtime.
UWM's Allison Klaas created a chance to score right before the end of regulation when she controlled the ball down the court with five seconds remaining on the clock. She got a left-handed shot off at the buzzer, but her long jumper rimmed out at the last second. Klaas swiped three key steals in the first half that all led to points off the fast break.
Both teams claimed nine steals on the game, while Milwaukee recorded 19 assists and 15 turnovers. The Phoenix made 17 assists and committed 14 turnovers, but outrebounded UWM, 40-37.
Milwaukee bounces back to take-on UIC on the road Thurs., Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. The Panthers then return home to host Youngstown State next Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m.
