Jan. 10, 2004

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Aubrey Hampton scored a career-high 17 points and nailed two free throws with 1.9 seconds left as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee posted an 83-78 overtime victory over Loyola University in Horizon League women's basketball action here Saturday (Jan. 10). UWM senior Maria Viall forced the overtime when she drilled two game-tying free throws with 1.5 seconds left in regulation. UWM improves to 6-7 overall and a perfect 3-0 in Horizon League action while Loyola falls to 6-9 overall and 1-3 in league play.

"This was a great victory for us," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "We kept our heads and played to win down the stretch. Loyola is an experienced team who really had some players make plays today. It was good to get over the hump and we had four or five players make big plays."

The Panthers controlled much of the first half of the game, jumping out to a 22-13 lead on a Teri Huff three-pointer with 11:18 to play in the frame. Loyola quickly cut the lead to three, 24-21 with 9:03 remaining only to see the Panthers go on a 7-2 run to go back ahead by eight, 31-23, with 6:34 to play. The two teams traded buckets the remainder of the half before a Kiley Johnson three-ball gave the Panthers a 40-35 lead heading into the break.

Milwaukee dominated the glass in the first half, outrebounding the visitors 23-13. Loyola was able to stay in the game due to 48.2% shooting while forcing 11 UWM turnovers. Loyola's Meshkenet Lands led all players with 10 first half points.

The game see-sawed in the early part of the second half as neither team could make a run. Loyola turned up the offense and rebounding midway through the second half before eventually grabbing a 55-54 lead on a Ciara Henderson breakaway layup with 8:40 to go. The Ramblers appeared to take control of the game at that point, as another Henderson layup and a jumper by Jenetria Harden made it 60-54 with 7:08 to play.

The Ramblers were able to stay in front for the next four-plus minutes before the Panthers crawled back into striking distance. Milwaukee tied the game at 68 with 2:52 left on a three-point play by Viall. A Hardin jumper made it 72-70 Loyola at the 43 second mark and helped set the stage for the finale.

On UWM's next possession Viall was fouled on an offense rebound. The senior connected on just one of two free throws to make it 72-71. The Panthers fouleld Lands, who hit just one of two charities to make it 73-71 with 17 seconds left. Milwaukee set up the offense and got an Anne Witte jumper from the left baseline. Witte's shot was partially blocked but Viall fought off three Loyola defenders for the rebound and was fouled when attempting the game-tying putback. The All-America Candidate them calmly stepped up and drilled both free throws which sent the game into overtime.

"I was just trying to focus and calm myself down," Viall said. "I just told myself these were another set of free throws and I was able to knock them down."

Milwaukee controlled the early part of overtime, jumping out to a 77-73 lead with 3:31 remaining thanks to layups by Hampton and Viall. Loyola cut the lead to one on two different occassions, the last time coming at 79-78 with 37 ticks left. Loyola fouled UWM's Molly O'Brien on the ensuing possession only to see the sophomore drill both charity tosses for a three-point cushion. Loyola rushed the ball down the court and got an open 25-footer by Henderson which hit the back of the rim. Hampton ran down the rebound, was fouled, and hit the two free throws to seal the game.

UWM outrebounded Loyola 46-35 on the contest, which was highlighted by 23 offensive boards. Loyola shot 47.1% from the field for the game while holding the victorious Panthers to 40.9% shooting. Viall led all players with 20 points and 13 rebounds, including a six-of-seven performance from the free throw line. Hampton posted the aforementioned 17 markers to go with career-highs in assists with seven and rebounds with four. Nichole Drummond added 13 for UWM while Kimberly Becker contributed 11 points and seven boards. Lands led Loyola with 18 points while Henderson added 17 and Harden 16.

The Panthers will enjoy four days off before their next game after just finishing a four-game in seven-day swing. UWM will take its first-place show to Cleveland where it will face Cleveland State University on Thursday (Jan. 15). Gametime is set for 6:00 p.m. at the CSU Convocation Center.