Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Nov. 2, 2006) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team got 18 points and 10 rebounds from sophomore Traci Edwards and limited Concordia to just 25.9 percent shooting in rolling past the Falcons, 74-53, in its exhibition opener Thursday night at the Klotsche Center.

Junior Meredith Onson added 12 points and senior Aubrey Hampton 10 for the Panthers. Krista Mayyou scored a game-high 21 points and was the only player in double-figures for Division III Falcons.

"This was a great first exhibition for us," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "I saw a lot of bright spots for us. We came out of the blocks well, executed our game plan, moved the ball and were able to build a big lead early. Concordia was good. They overcame some early jitters, settled down and fought back and challenged us late in the game."

Milwaukee's defense stifled Concordia throughout the game, forcing 22 turnovers, including 14 on steals. UWM also had nine blocks, including three by both Edwards and sophomore Katie Fournier, and outrebounded the Falcons, 46-37.

"With our defense, we try to dictate the game and disrupt what the other team is trying to do," Botham said. "We held them to just 26 percent shooting, while our goal was to keep them below 38 percent. That's how we are going to win games, with our defense."

UWM shot 45 percent for the game and finished with 16 assists

Edwards was hurt by foul trouble, doing her damage in just 20 minutes, while finishing with four fouls. Junior Dana Schultz and sophomore Turquoise McCain added to an even Panther attack. Schultz finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four steals, while McCain came up with seven points and seven rebounds. Fournier also chipped in eight points to go with her three blocks.

The Panthers never trailed, scoring the first six points of the game and building their first 10-point advantage at 12-2 on an Edwards fast-break lay up 3:40 into the game. UWM built its lead to as many as 20 in the opening half on a lay up by McCain in the final minute of the frame to make it 42-22 and headed into intermission with a 42-24 lead.

CUW climbed into contention late in the game, whittling down the Milwaukee lead to 13 on several occasions in the second half. It got to the free throw line 19 times in the second half, making 14, and finished the game 24-of-31 at the line.

Mayyou hit a jumper to make it 59-46 and later converted a pair of free throws to make it 63-49 with just over four minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Falcons would get. Milwaukee scored the next eight points to make it 71-49.

After Kristen Ruppe hit a jumper to pull Concordia within 20, senior Kiley Johnson hit a free throw and freshman Jodie McClain added two for UWM's biggest lead of the game at 74-51 in the game's final minute.

The Panthers close out their exhibition season Sunday, hosting Wisconsin AAU at noon. Milwaukee opens the regular season Friday, Nov. 10, at South Florida.