Nov. 29, 2002

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - Maria Viall scored a season-high 23 points, and Jessica Wilhite dropped in 19, including 10 of the Panthers' final 14 points, as UWM advanced to the championship game of the Wells Fargo Holiday Classic with a 84-77 win over Oklahoma State Friday night. The win raises UWM's record to 1-2 on the season, while OSU drops to 0-4.

"I'm so proud of these kids," head coach Sandy Botham said. "They were fighters tonight, they stayed so positive, and really deserved this win."

The Panthers ended their first-half shooting woes in dramatic fashion, outscoring the Cowgirls 47-41 in the first period. Milwaukee shot 53.3 percent in the first half, compared to the 28.3 percent the Panthers averaged in the first two games. Anne Witte and Viall led the way, with each player dropping in 13 points by the break.

But Oklahoma State came out red-hot in the second half, using strong shooting and a Panther drought of nearly four minutes to tie the game and go ahead with nearly 13 minutes remaining. A Teri Huff free throw tied the game at 60 with 9:45 left to play. A free throw and back-to-back baskets by Kimberly Becker and Viall put the Panthers up by five, a lead they would never relinquish.

UWM came up big on the defensive end numerous times in the final minutes, limiting OSU to just four points in the final three minutes.

"Our defense was incredible tonight," Botham said. "We really took them out of the things they wanted to do, and got a big win over a very good Big XII team."

To go along with Viall and Wilhite's high scoring, Becker added 14 points and seven boards, while Witte finished with 13 points in her first collegiate start. Wilhite also had a career-high eight assists.

The Panthers advance to the championship game of the Holiday Classic and will face the host Sun Devils of Arizona State. Game time is 7 p.m. CST.