Feb. 7, 2004

Box Score

DETROIT - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee withstood a five-minute second half scoring drought and Nichole Drummond hit three clutch free throws down the stretch to lead the Panthers to a 53-50 victory over the University of Detroit-Mercy in Horizon League women's basketball action here Saturday (Feb. 7). Milwaukee led by as much as 18-points in the second half before holding on late for the win. The Panthers improve to 11-10 overall and 8-3 in the league while Detroit falls out of first place with an 11-10 record and 8-3 mark in the loop.

Milwaukee controlled the first 20 minutes of the game which led to a 32-19 cushion at the break. The Panthers shot 52.0% in the first half against a Detroit team that came into the game No. 9 in the country in field goal percentage defense. UWM forced 11 Titan turnovers in the frame while holding the hosts to 29.6% shooting.

The Panthers extended the lead in the first half thanks to a balanced offensive attack. UWM grabbed as much as an 18-point lead on a Kimberly Becker 15-foot jumper with 14:38 to play. However, foul trouble began to mount for Maria Viall, UWM's All-America candidate and the Titans began chipping away at the lead. Viall picked up her fourth foul at the 8:23 mark and Detroit went on a on an 11-1 run to get to within five, 48-43, on a Caitie Goddard three-pointer.

Viall came back into the game but played just 3: 40 seconds before picking up her fifth and final foul. Detroit, and Nicole Anaejionu in particular, took advantage of Viall's absence, eventually tying the game at 49 as Anaejionu scored four points to force a 49-49 with 1:45 left. The resilient Panthers settled themselves and got the ball to Drummond on the next possession. The sophomore was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit two charity tosses for a 51-49 lead with 1:14 remaining. After a defensive stop, Drummond was again fouled on a drive and hit one charity for a 52-49 cushion.

Milwaukee got another stop and Kiley Johnson was fouled on the defensive board. The freshman hit one of two free throws to push the lead to four, 53-49. Anaejionu was fouled again on the next UDM trip down, but the senior hit just one of two to make it 53-50 with 23 seconds left. Milwaukee turned the ball over trying to break the full court pressure which helped set up the final seconds. The Titans took a lot of time running their offense as the clock winded down and had to settle with a long Katie Solner three-pointer at the buzzer which fell short as the UWM players celebrated the victory.

The Panthers won on the road for just the second time in 11 tries this season while moving into third-place in the league. Drummond led the Panthers with 13 points while Kimberly Becker added 10. Viall, who missed most of the game with foul trouble, was held to nine points and six rebounds. Anaejionu led Detroit with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

UWM will return to action Thursday when it breaks away from Horizon League play. The Panthers will host IPFW at 5:00 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The contest will be the first game of a doubleheader with the Panther men's squad.