Nov. 16, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

RALEIGH, N.C. - Senior Traci Edwards scored a game-high 20 points and added seven rebounds, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team fell, 77-65, to the University of Southern California in the consolation game at the Wolfpack Invitational Sunday. The Panthers (0-2) led on a handful of occasions in the first half and trailed just 38-34 at the half, only to see the Trojans (1-1) outscore them, 39-31, after intermission to earn the win.

Sophomore Lindsay Laur added 14 points on the strength of four three-pointers, while senior Turquoise McCain nearly had a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. USC had a balanced attack with four players netting double-figures, led by 15 from Camille LeNoir and 14 from Briana Gilbreath.

"I was so proud of the way this team fought today," UWM assistant coach Sheila Roux said. "After the game we had yesterday, we could have easily rolled over and died and they just fought and fought. You never like a loss, but hopefully we can use this ... take the things we were good with us to Air Force next weekend."

Roux is the acting head coach for the Milwaukee women this weekend, as head coach Sandy Botham did not make the trip due to a death in the family.

Trailing by four at the break, UWM struggled out of the gates and did not make a basket until the 16:34 mark when freshman Danielle Jorgenson's jumper made it 42-36. The game went back-and-forth for a majority of the second half, but the Trojans got hot from the floor and extended their lead to as many 15 with just under seven minutes remaining at 68-53.

Milwaukee made a late push, as Edwards made a layup and a couple of free throws before stealing a ball at the top of the circle and feeding junior Jodie McClain for a layup at the 5:30 mark that trimmed the deficit to nine at 68-59.

However, USC responded quickly on its next possession, getting a three-pointer from Ashley Corral that pushed its advantage back to 12. The Panthers would get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.

"I told the girls that if we played the way we did today and just hit a few more shots, we will be fine," Roux said. "The future is definitely bright for us."

The first half was filled with mini-runs by both teams. After leading 7-3, UWM allowed a 6-0 spurt to fall behind 9-7. Then it was a 5-0 run for Milwaukee to lead 12-9 at the time, with Edwards accounting for seven of the first 12 points.

USC then used a run of 10-unanswered to build it's lead to 19-12. Not to be outdone, UWM retaliated with a 7-2 spurt to get within two at 21-19 on a three-pointer by Laur. Some close-range misses hurt the Panthers chance of potentially having a sizable lead at the break. They managed 30.6% shooting in the first, with numerous misses in the paint.

Transition baskets hurt the cause, especially in the second, as the Trojans ended the game with a 14-4 edge in fast break points.

"They put an emphasis on it when they saw how the game was going," Roux said. "We were a little bit tired and I thought they did a nice job with it."

In addition to the three players in double-figures, Jorgenson filled the stat sheet with nine points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes of action and sophomore Jineen Williams had seven points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

For the game, UWM was held to 29.6% shooting (21-of-71), while USC hit on 49.2% (29-of-59) of its attempts in the game, including over 50% in the first. Aarika Hughes also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for the Women of Troy.

Milwaukee returns to Wisconsin tomorrow and is off until the weekend, traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a nonconference affair against Air Force, starting at 1 p.m. CST Saturday.

Final Update:
The Wolfpack Invitational All-Tournament was named following the conclusion of the championship, which NC State won.

Wolfpack Invitational All-Tournament Team
Shayla Fields, NC State *
Nikitta Gartrell, NC State
Traci Ray, Charlotte
Danielle Burgin, Charlotte
Traci Edwards, Milwaukee
Aarika Hughes, USC

*Wolfpack Invitational MVP