Feb. 4, 2002
CHICAGO-A second-half charge led UWM (16-6, 10-1 Horizon) past Loyola (12-9, 6-4 Horizon), 74-49, Monday night at the Gentile Center. Five players scored in double digits for UWM and were led by Maria Viall's 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Viall recorded her fifth double-double of the season after UWM was able to work its inside game in the second half. Viall finished connecting on 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 at the line.
Leading by three points at the half, the Panthers connected on five of their first six shots in the second half during a 13-6 run to take over the game. After playing just six minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, Jessica Wilhite connected on consecutive three pointers to give UWM a 10-point lead with under 15 minutes remaining.
Milwaukee then went on a 17-5 run over the next five minutes to keep out of range. Holly Tamm put the Panthers up 60-40 when she tipped in Malika Willoughby's three-point attempt that went in and out of the basket. Milwaukee kept up the full-court pressure to keep its distance and take the 25-point margin of victory.
"Our full-court pressure took Loyola out of their half-court game and we blew it open," UWM coach Sandy Botham said. "Early they were more patient, but then our tempo put pressure on them to take quick shots. The stretch when we really broke it open came from our transition, and I thought we definitely wore them down."
Tamm and Stephanie Kaufmann added 12 points each for UWM, while Willhite and Willoughby chipped in 10 a piece.
The Panthers finished shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. UWM shot 45 percent in the second half after started the game with 34-percent accuracy.
Three consecutive three pointers helped Loyola take the early 15-6 lead six minutes into the game. But Holly Tamm charged UWM's comeback when she stole the ball and drove in for a layup. The Panthers tied it up after consecutive treys made by Stefanie Kaufmann and Malika Willoughby, but the teams exchanged baskets until Loyola led by two points. Tamm again grabbed a key steal and scored an uncontested layup to tie the game at 20 a piece.
UWM didn't take the lead until 1:38 left in the half when Angela Wenzel nailed a three pointer, giving UWM the 26-25 lead. The Ramblers hit a jumper to go up by one, but Maria Viall and Tamm scored down the stretch to give UWM the 30-27 lead into the locker room.
The Ramblers finished shooting 35.2 percent from the floor, while making 27 turnovers and just 11 assists. UWM made 19 assists and 18 turnovers, and outrebounded Loyola, 44-37.
The Panthers return home Thursday night, hosting Wright State at 7 p.m. UWM is currently on a 22-game winning streak at home against league opponents.
