CHICAGO, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2008) - Meghan Hutchens hit two free throws with 8.4 seconds remaining in the second overtime as UIC's only points of the period, but it was enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team fell to the Flames, 70-69, in two overtimes Saturday night at the UIC Pavilion.

The Panthers (14-12, 9-6 Horizon) overcame a 12-point halftime deficit to force overtime, but it was not enough as they scored just one point in the second overtime.

"It was a tough loss today," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. Its disappointing to lose to UIC twice in a season, but you have to give them credit. They certainly come out hard and know how to throw the first punch with their effort and energy in how they set the tone. Our Achilles' heel is our energy and focus to start a game."

Hutchens, a 48.5 percent free throw shooter entering the night, countered Milwaukee's only scoring in the period, 1-of-2 free throws from freshman Lindsay Laur.

Junior Traci Edwards scored 20 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for her school record-tying 15th double-double of the season to lead Milwaukee. Freshman Jenilee Klomstad added a career-high 13 points as the only other Panther in double-figures.

Jessie Miller led UIC with 16 points, including a three-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime, while Taylor Manley scored 13.

Milwaukee headed into halftime trailing 36-24 before chipping away at the Flames' lead. Five-straight points by Klomstad pulled the Panthers within six, before back-to-back Flames baskets pushed the lead back to 10 heading into the 12-minute media timeout.

The Panthers then rattled off a 16-5 run to take its first lead of the game at 52-51 with 5:47 to play on a pair of free throws by junior Jody Crumble.

"It's disappointing that we are not learning from these scenarios," Botham said. "They've played out a number of times before and we're still not learning. When our backs are against the wall; that is when we turn it on. We talked about being aggressive on both ends of the floor and it took us being with our backs against the wall to respond and get that aggressiveness."

It was a tail of two halves for Milwaukee in the game, as it turned a -5 rebounding margin at halftime into a +9 (52-43) advantage by the end of the game. The key was outrebounding the home team by 13 in the second half (23-10). The Panthers also buckled down on the offensive boards, pulling down 20 in the game after just six in the first half.

The Panthers also forced 13 UIC turnovers in the second half after just five in the first 20 minutes.

UWM also bounced back from a 34.6 percent first half to shoot 53.3 percent in the second half. Combined with a 15.4 percent clip in overtime, Milwaukee shot 39.1 percent for the game. It also attempted a season-low eight 3-pointers and made just one. The Flames shot 40 percent on the day and made just 2-of-15 from downtown.

Free throws proved to be the downfall for the Panthers, as they shot just 46.7 percent from the free throw line, making just 14-for-30 from the charity stripe. UIC, on the other hand, made 12-of-16 despite entering the game making just 59.2 percent on the year.

"It's the story of our season," Botham said. "Focus and attention to detail in the process translates to free throw shooting and coming out of the blocks slow. We are a very inconsistent basketball team like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde."

The Panthers had chances to win at the end of regulation and each of the two overtimes, but fell short. At the end of the second half, UWM beat the UIC press with two passes, finding freshman Jineen Williams for a lay up that bounced out at the buzzer.

Blocks prevented winners at the end of the two overtime periods, while Edwards attempted to lob in an inbounds with 0.5 seconds remaining at the end of the second overtime period.

Milwaukee returns to Wisconsin, but remain on the road, playing at Green Bay Saturday in their only game of the week. UWM and GB tip off at 1 p.m. at the Kress Athletic Center.