Box Score |  Notes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 19, 2008) - Junior Traci Edwards scored 21 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and tied a school record by going 11-for-11 from the free throw line to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a 65-50 win over Butler Saturday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Panthers (10-7, 5-1 Horizon) have now won five-straight games, while the Bulldogs (12-4, 2-3 Horizon) have dropped two-straight.

"To come away with two victories on this Indiana swing is big for our program. We are very excited," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "Butler had our number last year, so we knew we were going to have a big test. I was just proud of our players' focus, determination, perseverance and all that things that win games."

Edwards paced UWM with 15 points in the second half, including all 11 of her free throw attempts. She tied the school record held by four other players and had the second-most attempts in a perfect free throw shooting effort (Corrin Von Wald, 18-for-18).

Freshman Maurika Hickman and junior Turquoise McCain each scored nine points, while sophomore Jodie McClain (7 points) and junior Jody Crumble (6) added to the balanced scoring.

Susan Lester was the only Butler player in double-digits with 10 points, while Candace Bain and Cassie Freeman added eight points apiece.

The Panthers ended the game on a back-breaking 22-5 run to break open a two-point game. Butler then scored the final four points of the game as Botham cleared the bench inside the final minute of regulation.

Lade Akande converted a lay-up to pull to make it a two-point game with 13:15 remaining in the game at 43-41. UWM then scored the next 11 points of the game and held Butler without a field goal for 4:41 in building a 13-point advantage at 54-51.

The Bulldogs cut into the lead a little, pulling within 10 at 56-46, but the Panthers iced the game with the next nine points of the game for a game-high 19-point lead.

"I thought we made some mental errors in the first half. We weren't fundamental with unforced turnovers. We wanted to get Traci more touches and that was the emphasis in the second half. She was 3-for-3, but that wasn't enough touches. That is something were really talked about and in the second half she got to the line 11 times. We got high percentage shots and that was the game plan at Valpo and here."

Milwaukee shot 52 percent in each half to finish at a season-best 52.3 percent for the game. The Bulldogs had been allowing opponents to shoot just 39.3 percent from the field. The Panthers also hit on 5-of-11 from three-point range and were 14-for-17 from the free throw line. They also had 17 assists compared to 19 turnovers.

On defense, UWM allowed the Bulldogs to shoot just 35.7 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from three-point range. Milwaukee also forged a 35-28 advantage on the boards.

"To me, I think we are one of the strongest defensive teams in the league and we've proven it game in and game out," Botham said. "I've continued to challenge our players and they have responded."

Both teams mounted large runs to nearly break-even in the first half. The Panthers scored the last five points of the frame, however, to head into intermission with a 29-26 lead. Butler led 12-10 before a 14-2 UWM run gave it what was thought to be a decisive 24-14 lead.

The Bulldogs then scored the next 12 points of the game, while holding Milwaukee without a point for 6:46 to re-claim the lead at 26-24. Edwards ended the drought with a lay-up at the 1:04 mark and Hickman gave the Panthers the lead at the break with a three at the 16-second mark.

UWM battled turnovers in an otherwise efficient offensive half. The team cooled off to 52.2 percent shooting from the field after making its first five shots, 5-of-7 and 10-of-14. Seven turnovers in the first 14 possessions hounded the Panthers, who finished with 12 in the half. They also had nine assists on 12 made field goals.

Butler shot 44.4 percent from the field in the opening half. The Bulldogs had trouble holding on to the ball, as well, turning the ball over nine times. They entered the day averaging just 15.8 turnovers per game.

Milwaukee returns home, hosting UIC next Wednesday at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers and Flames tip off at 7 p.m.