Nov. 27, 2004

Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. - Junior Nichole Drummond led three Panthers in double-digits, scoring a game-high 17 points to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to its first win of the season, and third place at the Seattle Times Classic, with a 63-59 victory over Columbia University, Saturday afternoon in Seattle. The Panthers (1-3) held a 15-point lead late in the game, and held off a Lion (2-2) comeback in the waning seconds to preserve the win.

"I was pleased with our defense dictated this game, especially early on," head coach Sandy Botham said. "Our defense caused a lot of offense for us."

After a dominating first half, Columbia looked like it would creep up on UWM, cutting its 36-23 first half lead down to five points at 51-46 with 8:28 remaining. The Panthers came out of the media timeout and continued to hold CU scoreless for over five minutes as they went on a 10-0 run.

"I told them (during the timeout) that we were just missing easy shots and just needed to calm down," Botham said. "We got them to calm down and told them not to panic when (Columbia) went on that run."

Senior Teri Huff and sophomore Aubrey Hampton hit back-to-back three-pointers to begin the run. Senior Kimberly Becker followed with a lay-up, before Huff capped the run with a driving lay-up of her own.

The Lions fought back, outscoring UWM, 13-2, over the final 3:25 of the game. After ending Milwaukee's 10-0 run, Columbia hit three-straight three-pointers, on its way to pulling within four with 14 seconds remaining. The Panther defense locked down, as they held on.

"It was a little close for comfort down near the end" Botham said. "But, it is nice to get the first win of the season."

For the game, UWM forced 24 turnovers, while committing 18 and was just edged on the boards 38-36. The Panthers also went 17-of-23 from the free throw line, compared to just six attempts, and four made, by CU. From the field, UWM conceded the edge, 41.4-35.7 percent, and 46.7-27.3 percent from outside the arc.

Milwaukee came out on the attack in the first half, generating 18 Columbia turnovers and picking up 11 steals, led by Junior Molly O'Brien's five. It was also able to convert from the charity stripe, hitting on 13-of-14 free throws in the frame.

A close game in the early goings, Milwaukee opened up a double-digit lead after falling behind 7-6. The Panthers rattled off a 10-0 run following a pair of Megan Rogers free throws to put them ahead. After a slight dry spell, O'Brien drained a three-point shot to send UWM on an eight-point run which she capped with a jumper. When the smoke cleared, Milwaukee gone from down one, to leading by 12 at 24-12.

Becker scored 14 points, adding a team-high six boards and three assists, while Huff also reached double-digits with 11. O'Brien had a complete game, tallying seven points and six rebounds as she finished with six steals.

"Molly had six steals for us. She is certainly the catalyst for our defense," Botham said. "She anticipates so well off the ball and that does so much for our defense."

Susan Kern led the Lions with 17 points and five three-point field goals before fouling out with 40 seconds remaining. Erin Jaschek finished with 14 points, 10 boards and Adia Revell tallied 10 and 13 to post double-doubles for Columbia.

Life on the road continues for the Panthers, as they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday (Dec. 2) for a game with Northern Iowa University. After two more, and a total of seven, road games to open the season, UWM returns to Milwaukee for its home opener against Northwestern on Dec. 12.