Jan. 4, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee appeared to let out all of its recent offensive frustrations here Saturday (Jan. 4) in defeating Cleveland State University, 89-73, in Horizon League women's basketball action. UWM set season-highs for points (89), rebounds (57), and assists (24), in coasting to the 16-point win. Milwaukee breaks a two-game losing streak in improving to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in the Horizon League while CSU falls to 1-10 on the season and 0-2 in league play.

"I'm proud of our kids and their effort today," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "Too many of us have been playing tentatively and we told them to quit worrying about it and just go play. We got a total team effort tonight as everyone played aggressively and looked to score."

Cleveland State came out firing from all over the court in the early going, connecting on numerous three-pointers and transition buckets. With the score tied at 19, the visitors promptly went on a 13-4 run to grab a 32-23 lead with 5:42, thanks in large part to preseason First-Team All-League pick Erika Roudebush.

Then, with 4:36 remaining in the half, Botham reinserted junior center Maria Viall back into the lineup as the Preseason Player of the Year was asked to play with two fouls. Viall helped jumpstart the Panther attack as the hosts finished the half on a 21-9 run to take a 44-41 lead into the break. Senior Jessica Wilhite, who has struggled of late, found her shooting touch in the first half, leading all scorers with 14 points at the break. Viall added 11 points in the first half as Milwaukee dominated the boards 31-15.

The second half proved to be all UWM as the Panthers went up by twelve, 60-48, just 4:48 into the frame. Viall scored eight points during the run while freshman Nichole Drummond added four. Milwaukee later put the game away when Drummond, who has burst on the scene of late, took over a 47 second stretch in the second half. With the Panthers holding a six-point lead, 67-61, Drummond promptly drilled a three-pointer, converted a fast break layup and subsequent free throw, and then added a steal and breakaway layup to give UWM a comfortable 75-61 cushion with 6:28 remaining. Cleveland State would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way as Milwaukee cruised to its first Horizon League win.

UWM ended the game shooting 44.6% from the floor, thanks to a 53.1% showing in the second half. The Panthers, who outrebounded CSU 57-29 on the game, dished out 24 assists while committing just 18 turnovers. Viall led all scorers with 26 points to go with eight rebounds. Wilhite finished the day with 17 points and eight boards while Drummond posted career-best numbers in points (16), rebounds (9), assists (5), and steals (2).

"Nichole really has some offensive abilities and that is why we inserted her into the starting lineup," noted Botham. "I told our players they all have the capabilities to be scorers and Nichole really took that to heart. She is a very fluid player who can really excel in transition."

Cleveland State was led in scoring by Nikki Perkins who poured in a career-high 17 points on five trifectas. Roudebush added 15 points but was held to 6-21 from the floor. Ashley Schrock contributed 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds and six assists.

Milwaukee will enjoy four days off before hitting the road once again. UWM will face the University of Illinois-Chicago in a 4:30 p.m. Horizon League contest Thursday (Jan. 9) at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.