Feb. 28, 2002
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Chicago, Ill. -- Second-seeded UWM exited the Horizon League Tournament earlier than expected, losing to #7 UIC, 75-67, Thursday afternoon at the Joseph J. Gentile Center. The Panthers (20-8) were ousted in the quarterfinals, while the Flames (15-14) advance to play the winner of #3 Detroit vs. #6 Cleveland State on Friday in the tournament seminfinals at host Loyola University.
The Panthers' only lead came on the opening basket and they trailed the rest of the game by as much as 18 points with seven minutes left to play. That lead came on the heels of 13 straight points by UIC, who started its run just moments after Maria Viall cut UWM's deficit to five points on a layup with 11:19 to go.
"I give UIC a lot of credit," UWM coach Sandy Botham said. "They played well and with a lot of emotion. They hit a lot of shots, ones that I haven't typically seen UIC make. We came back a couple of times, but couldn't get over that hump. Our team wanted it so bad, but I don't think they know how do get it as a team. I think they tried to do it as individuals."
Milwaukee would get no closer than eight points the remainder of the game. Viall finished with 14 points in only 24 minutes of action after fouling out. Fouls were a factor all game for UWM, who finished with 25 and allowed UIC to make 17-of-26 at the line. Meanwhile, UWM connected on just 6-of-11 free throws.
"Maria did a great job, she stayed really strong when they double-teamed her," UWM coach Sandy Botham said. "She made shots with three people on her, and if she missed, she stuck with it and followed it up. I think it was hard for her to sit out and just wait to get back in after getting called for fouls."
Viall fouled out with 6:57 remaining in the game after picking up four in the second half, including two fouls 11 seconds apart to open the second half. The Horizon League Player of the Year was held to two points in the second half and was guarded by UIC's Jaysie Chambers, an All-Horizon League First Team selection, who finished with a game-high 15 points.
"I'm just glad it's over," Chambers said when asked about matching up with Viall. "She's so big. I knew it was going to be a challenge, and the coaches kept pushing me to play tougher defense in practice to get ready for her. I definitely wasn't looking forward to it."
Freshman Teri Huff filled in for Viall off the bench with 14 points in 23 minutes. Huff had averaged just 4.7 minutes in 19 games played prior to today.
"Teri is one of the hardest workers and most consistent," Botham said. "She just needs to learn our system and get more experience. But she's got great athletic ability and plays with no fear. She doesn't get caught up in the emotions of the game or with me, and she just wants to win."
"Teri came in and did such a great job for us," Viall said. "But I think our team did what we've done a lot this season, just sit back and wait for something to spark."
Down 37-26 at halftime, UWM's small spark would not come until midway through the second half. UIC led by 14 points with 13:19 to go when Huff started a 11-2 run for UWM with six straight points to trail, 48-43, two minutes later. But following a UWM turnover, reserve Charissa Green stormed down court on a fast break for UIC and scored a three-point play to revive the Flames for good. She finished with 10 points off the bench.
UWM loses to UIC for the first time since 1999, having swept the series the past two years. The Panthers exit the tournament in the quarterfinal for the second time in three years. UWM dominated the tournament last season en route to its first championship title and NCAA Tournament appearance.
"People on the outside really don't know how the different dynamics of the team," Botham said. "But winning 20 games with this team was a great thing for the program. Now we just have to learn from this this for next year."
The 20 wins this season reset the school record for most wins in a season. The Panthers also broke the school record for best record on the road (11-3), though they finish the season 0-2 in neutral games.
