Nov. 16, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Maria Viall scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds but the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee could not overcome the high-powered offensive attack of the Wisconsin AAU Vikings, falling 94-90 Sunday afternoon at the Klotsche Center.

Former UW-Green Bay standout Chandra Johnson hit two free throws with 2:23 remaining to break an 88-all tie. A layup by Corrin Von Wald with 1:07 left pushed the lead to four before Viall's layup with 22 seconds remaining brought UWM within two. Free throws by Nancy Lieberman and Anna DeForge in the final seconds then sealed the victory for the Vikings.

Nichole Drummond added 21 points and Kiley Johnson 12 for the Panthers, who played without Kimberly Becker and Molly O'Brien due to injuries. DeForge led the AAU squad with 27 points while Johnson added 19 and Von Wald 18.

"I'm disappointed that we lost, but it's an exhibition game," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "We learned a lot about ourselves. We have a lot of kids that don't have a lot of experience and that really showed this afternoon."

The Panthers, who trailed by 12 early in the second half, rallied to take a one-point lead at 59-58 on a layup by Viall with 14:01 remaining. They then led by as many as five points in the second half before the Vikings struck back.

UWM could not get on track most of the first half, trailing by as many as seven points. The Panthers tied the game at 45 with 55 seconds remaining but the Vikings scored the final five points of the half for a 50-45 lead at the break.

UWM opens the regular season Friday night against DePaul at the Moran Realty Classic in Chicago.