Jan. 25, 2003

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - Maria Viall scored 28 points for the second straight game and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee used an 11-0 run to start the second half to defeat Butler University, 70-62, in Horizon League women's basketball action here Saturday (Jan. 25). The win marks the first back-to-back victories for UWM which improves to 8-10 on the year and 4-4 in conference play. Butler lost for the sixth straight game and fell to 3-14 overall and 1-6 in the conference.

Milwaukee struggled in the first half due to turnovers and poor defensive rebounding. Butler led, 33-28, at the half thanks to seven offensive rebounds and 13 UWM turnovers. UWM shot 47.6% from the floor in the first half but grabbed only two offensive rebounds. Maria Viall scored 12 points to lead all scorers in the first half while Lisa Pryor led the Bulldogs with 10 points.

The Panthers came out of the second half lockerroom and grabbed control of the game, thanks to an 11-0 run in the first 3:30 second. Nichole Drummond scored five points during the stretch while Viall added four. Butler cut the lead to 39-35 at the 16:20 mark before Anne Witte converted back-to-back breakaway steals for a 43-35 Panther lead.

Butler made one last push and got to within two, 50-48, at the 9:02 mark on a driving layup by Angel Mason. However, UWM scored eight of the next eleven points to go up 58-51 en route to the eight-point victory. Sophomore Kimberly Becker came up big down the stretch as the forward scored nine points in a 5:32 period late in the second frame. Antoinette Gregory and Viall sealed the game, hitting four free throws respectively in the game's final minute.

Viall continued her week of big performances with 28 points and a game-best 13 rebounds. Viall, who scored 28 points Thursday versus Wright State, hit 11-15 shots from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line. Drummond added 12 points while Becker chipped in with 11. Butler was led by Lisa Pryor's 13 points while Nancy Bowden and Mason added 12 apiece.

Milwaukee will look to make it three in a row when it hosts Chicago State University in a non-conference contest on Thursday (Jan. 29). The game is set for 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers will return to league play Saturday (Feb. 1) when Loyola University comes to Milwaukee for a 2 p.m. showdown.