Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Dec. 22, 2008) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team overcame an eight-point deficit with 2:12 to play in regulation to force overtime, but had two shots rattle out of the basket in the final four seconds of the extra period in falling to Evansville, 62-61, Monday evening at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (4-6) trailed 53-45 at the 2:12 mark, but scored the final eight points of the second half to force overtime at 53-53. In the extra period, fell down by three, but was within one point and had the ball with 35 seconds to play.

On Milwaukee's final play, the clock was run down to 4.4 and the shot clock two before head coach Sandy Botham called timeout. On the ensuing inbound play, senior Traci Edwards saw her shot carom away from the basket and sophomore Lindsay Laur's tip-in likewise as the final horn sounded.

"Our kids are fighters," Botham said. "We don't let them give up. They found a way to climb back into it and put it into overtime. It would've been nice to get the victory. We can't out ourselves in those holes. That's the key. We need to play more solid on both ends of the floor."

Edwards led UWM with 18 points and seven rebounds while becoming the program's career Division I leader in rebounds, pushing her career total to 974. Laur picked up her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-best 10 rebounds.

Amy Gallagher led three Purple Aces (7-4) in double-figures with 17 points. Shannon Novosel added 11 points before fouling out in over time and Stephanie Bamberger chipped in 10.

Trailing 53-45 on an Amy Gallagher jumper with 2:12 to play in the second half, the Panthers scored the final eight points of regulation to force the extra period. They did most of the damage with the clock stopped as Laur and Edwards each converted a pair of free throws. Laur added a jumper, but sophomore Jineen Williams completed the comeback with a lay-up with 11.1 seconds remaining.

The tying play was started with defense, as Milwaukee forced a turnover with its full-court press. Senior Turquoise McCain deflected a desperation pass to Edwards, who worked the ball towards the basket when Laur found an open Williams for the lay-up

Turnovers hounded the Panthers all night, especially after halftime. UWM committed seven miscues in the first 20 minutes, but turned the ball over 15 times in the second half and finished with 24.

"We dig ourselves holes and beat ourselves. Give Evansville credit. They are a well-disciplined team. We execute extremely well. So, they definitely came in and took the game away from us. Turnovers have the story of our (season). We just don't execute fundamentally well. They took advantage of it. I'm disappointed to lose it. Give Evansville all the credit. They came in and beat us."

On the defensive end, however, the team was able to force Evansville into 22 turnovers, including a season-high 11 steals. Junior Jodie McClain came away with five steals of her own to lead the defensive cause.

UWM matched its season shooting mark of 41.4 percent, but sank just 2-of-11 three-point attempts. It did, however, win the battle on the boards with a 40-34 edge. The Panthers allowed the Purple Aces to shoot just 38.7 percent, including 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Laur and sophomore Stephanie Schell sparked the team in the first half off the bench, as it fell behind by nine just over five minutes into the game. Laur sparked a 12-2 run that pushed the Panthers into the lead at 21-18, with Schell capping the run with a three-pointer.

"Laur has just been a great sixth man," Botham said. "She has been a great lift for us off the bench by doing a lot of the little things: crashing the boards, creating second-shot opportunities for herself and for our team. It's nice to have that punch off the bench.

"Steph, too. She has been the consummate team player and has worked extremely hard. We wanted to give her a shot today and I thought she really stepped and really did well for us."

Playing in front of a large New Berlin contingent, Schell had her best collegiate game with three points, four rebounds and a pair of assists in 13 minutes. She played against prep teammate Kelsey Sperka, which added to the large fan base.

Milwaukee takes the holidays off before returning to the court in a cross-town showdown with Marquette on New Year's Eve. The Panthers and Golden Eagles tip off at 3 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center.