Feb. 28, 2004

Box Score

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Maria Viall scored a game-high 21 points and became the school's all-time leading scorer in leading the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a 59-51 victory over Youngstown State University in Horizon League action here Saturday (Feb. 28). With the win, the Panthers improve to 16-11 overall and 12-4 in the league while clinching the second spot in the upcoming league tournament in Milwaukee. With the loss, YSU drops to 4-23 overall and 2-14 in league play.

The two teams traded baskets in the early going and the hosts actually led, 8-6, on a pair of Cahthy Hanek free throws with 14:27 to go in the first half. However, on UWM's next possession Kiley Johnson drilled a three-pointer from the right wing to put the Panthers up for good. Johnson drained another three at the 10:47 mark to give Milwaukee a 16-11 cushion.

Youngstown State stayed in the game thanks to red-hot shooting from the floor, however, the hosts could never regain the lead. Viall led all players in the first half with 10 points while Johnson added eight off the bench. Jessica Olmstead led the Penguins with seven first half points while YSU shot 55.6% from the floor and outrebounded UWM 13-11.

YSU hung around in the early part of the second frame before a 9-2 run midway through the frame gave the Panthers a 15-point cushion,43-29, on a Nichole Drummond driving layup with 11:09 to play. Viall scored five points during the stretch while Drummond added four.

The Penguins continued to battle back and got back to within seven, 56-49, when Devin Novak hit a three-pointer. This set the stage for Viall, who nailed four free throws in the final 19 seconds to not only seal the win, but break the 21-year old scoring mark as well. Viall, who added five rebounds and three steals, has 1,831 points in her career, eclipsing the old mark of 1,830 set by Jaci Clark from 1979-83.

The Panthers will return to action Thursday (March 4) in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament. UWM, the No. 2 seed, will host No. 7 seed Illinois-Chicago at 7:00 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. If the Panthers defeat UIC, they will host the tournament semifinals and finals Sunday and Monday, March 7-8.