Nov. 26, 2002

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team dropped their second-straight decision to open the 2002-03 campaign Tuesday night at the hands of cross-town rival Marquette University, 73-53. Maria Viall led all scorers with 22 points, adding in a game-high nine rebounds in the losing effort.

Much like the season opener Friday night against Purdue, the Panthers struggled during the first period, putting only 21 points on the board. UWM shot just 29.4 percent from the field in the first period on 5-17 shooting. Free-throw shooting kept the Panthers in the game, as UWM went 11-13 from the charity stripe, and trailed 33-21 at the break.

"We just couldn't get into our flow," head coach Sandy Botham said. "We've got two inexperienced point guards, and it really showed tonight. We were tentative early on, and didn't attack the basket. We've got to learn to handle the pressure."

The Panthers did shoot better in the second half, hitting 12-of-25 for 48 percent, but it wasn't enough. Turnovers were the difference, as the Golden Eagles caused 27 Panther turnovers, while just giving the ball up 16 times themselves. Marquette turned that turnover advantage into a large margin in points off turnovers, outscoring UWM in that category 32-14.

"We've just got to stick with it," junior center Maria Viall said. "It's a long season, we've got to learn from these early games and keep building each game."

The Panthers will now travel to Tempe, Ariz., for the Arizona State Wells Fargo Holiday Classic. UWM opens the tournament Friday evening against Oklahoma State at 9 p.m. CST.