Dec. 22, 2003

Box Score

MADISON, WIS. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team did mostly what it wanted to do here Monday (Dec. 22) night versus the University of Wisconsin. Unfortunately for UWM, 29 turnovers and two in the last two possessions of the game proved costly as the Panthers dropped a 54-49 decision in non-conference action. Milwaukee ends the 2003 calendar year with a 3-6 record while UW improves to 5-3.

Wisconsin took control of the game early on and took a 9-3 lead with 14:54 remaining in the first half on a Stephanie Rich layup. Milwaukee put the clamps down defensively en route to a 14-0 run over the next 8:29 to grab a 17-9 lead. Nichole Drummond scored six points on three acrobatic drives to the basket while UWM forced nine missed shots and eight Badger turnovers during that time frame.

The Badgers rebounded from the drought and outscored Milwaukee 20-5 over the last 6:25 of the half to take a 29-22 lead at the break. UWM outshot the Badgers 41.7% to 35.3% in the first half while outrebounding the hosts 20-19.

Milwaukee came out firing in the second half thanks in large part to Kiley Johnson. The freshman sharpshooter drilled two three-pointers in the first three minutes of the second half to cut the lead to one, 29-28. The Badgers scored 11 of the next 15 points to grab another seven point lead, 40-33, with 10:23 remaining in the game.

The Panthers, who struggled handling the ball all night, began to take better care of the ball over the next few minutes as they cut the UW lead to one on three different occasions. A Maria Viall jumper at the 5:07 mark made it 44-43 before an Aubrey Hampton drive made it 46-45 with 3:51 left to play.

The two teams traded baskets over the next few possessions before Viall cut the lead to one, 48-47 with 2:33 remaining thanks to a Hampton drive and dish. Viall scored again to make it 50-49 with 1:32 left before a Rich layin gave UW a three-point cushion. Milwaukee then had two more attempts to tie the game but turnovers in each of the last two possessions hurt the comeback chances. Lello Gebisa drilled two free throws with five seconds left for the final five point margin.

Viall led UWM with 12 points to go with seven rebounds. Hampton added nine points and four assists while Drummond contributed seven points and five rebounds while battling foul trouble. Rich led the Badgers with 16 points while Gebisa and Emily Ashbaugh added 11 each.

Milwaukee will enjoy a long holiday break before opening the Horizon League season in 2004. The Panthers will play just their second home game of the season when the University of Illinois-Chicago come to the Klotsche Center for a 7:00 p.m. start on January 3rd.