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CHICAGO, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2006) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team used a 20-5 run midway through the second half to runaway with a 65-58 win over UIC, Thursday night in Chicago.

The Panthers (18-8, 13-2 Horizon League) won for the eighth-straight time and are now one win away from their first Horizon League Championship since 2000-01. UWM remains tied with UW-Green Bay, which defeated Wright State, 66-57, in Dayton, Ohio, earlier in the evening.

UWM closes out the regular season in Chicago Saturday, taking on Loyola at 1 p.m. at the Gentile Center.

"We just need to keep taking care of business. We can't worry about what everybody else is doing," head coach Sandy Botham said "It's not just six down, one to go for us, but two 20-minute halves to go. Now it is half-to-half for us that we want to win.

"Loyola is a team not to overlook. They have been close in all their games and are looking to be spoilers, so we have to go out there and get it done."

Senior Molly O'Brien scored a team-high 17 points to go with six rebounds and four assists to lead Milwaukee. Senior Nichole Drummond added 14 points and seven boards, while freshman Traci Edwards had 13 and 10 for her 13th double-double of the season.

LaShonda Grant held game-high scoring honors with 27 points for the Flames (13-13, 9-6 Horizon League), while Kelly True added 10 as the only other UIC player in double-digits.

UIC had taken a four-point lead at 40-36, using an 11-3 run to overcome a four-point deficit. Sophomore Meredith Onson ended the run with a jumper just over five minutes into the half. Freshman Emily Markert then hit the first of three 3-pointers in the second half and was followed by back-to-back baskets by O'Brien and Onson to make it 45-40.

Krystal Hugelier hit a three and Chrissy Dizon converted two free throws to stem the tide and tie the game at 45-45, but that was as close as the Flames would get. Markert the hit a pair of three's, bookending five-straight points by Edwards to build an 11-point lead.

The lead became a game-high 12 when O'Brien answered two UIC free throws with a three-point play, making it 59-47 with 5:54 to go.

"I thought we were a little more aggressive at that time," Botham said about the team's run. "We became more aggressive getting the ball inside during the stretch. Also, I thought our zone stymied them a bit. They were cutting at the basket and getting layups. We were also able to close a few of their passing lanes."

UWM shot an uncharacteristic 40.7 percent from the field, despite 46.7 percent on 15 three-point attempts, but gained the edge in rebounds, 43-31. The Panthers also countered 21 turnovers with 22 assists on 24 made baskets. UIC was able to shoot 42.3 percent on the night, but committed 18 turnovers of its own.

Markert finished with nine points, while Onson ended the game with eight points and eight assists.

With the Panthers leading 62-51, the Flames allowed them just three free throws down the stretch in an attempt to claw back in the final 1:14. Grant hit a layup and, after a steal, True hit one of her own. Grant then capped the scoring with a three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining.

"UIC played a good game and kept it close," Botham said. "I thought our players did a good job of remaining poised and making plays down the stretch, where earlier we were trying to make plays and rushing things. As ugly as it was, it was great to come away with the win."

Milwaukee took a one-point lead into halftime, thanks to a 10-0 run midway through the opening frame. After the Panthers had fallen behind, 17-12, O'Brien hit a layup with 9:30 to go, kick-starting the rally. Drummond followed with a three and layup, before O'Brien made it 22-17 with a three-pointer of her own at the 7:15 mark.

UIC scored five-straight points one minute later to tie the game at 24-24 with 4:06 to go. O'Brien then hit a three-pointer and Kelly True answered with a jumper for the Flames to provide for the score at the break.

Turnovers dogged both teams, as the Panthers turned the ball over 12 times, compared to 10 by the home team. UWM shot just 34.5 percent for the half, but outrebounded UIC, 22-14, and picked up assists on all 10 made field goals. The Flames shot an even 40 percent for the half, but had nine steals.