Box Score

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Jan. 8, 2009) - Senior Traci Edwards had 21 points and eight rebounds to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for her career and lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a 72-60 win over Youngstown State Thursday evening at the Beeghley Center.

Edwards became the first Panther, Horizon League player or women's college basketball player in the state of Wisconsin to reach both milestones. She finished the game with an even 2,000 points and 1,003 rebounds. She is now just 18 points from tying the league record for career points.

"Traci's accomplishments are phenomenal," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "Today she played a very well-rounded game. Defensively, offensively, on the boards, so it's exciting for her to accomplish that goal. It's tremendous to have a player like that, to coach a player of that caliber."

Milwaukee (6-7, 1-1 Horizon) had a balanced effort behind Edwards, as three more players scored in double figures. Sophomore Maurika Hickman finished with 13 and four assists. Sophomores Lindsay Laur and Ashley Imperiale finished with 11 points apiece, while sophomore Jineen Williams had nine points and seven assists.

"It was nice to get back on the winning track, especially on the road," Botham said. "Youngstown State played a very competitive game and I felt we kept our poise, sustained their runs and did a really good job of taking care of the basketball."

Four players reached double figures for the Penguins (2-12, 0-3 Horizon), including Nikita LaFleur and Tiara Scott in double-double efforts. LaFleur had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Scott finished with 13 points and 11 boards.

The Panthers never trailed and were never tied after scoring the first five points of the game. They built a seven-point lead at 14-7 in the first five minutes. Youngstown State would not go way getting as close as two in the frame, but falling down as much as 10.

In the second half, UWM continued to steadily fend off the home-standing Penguins. YSU managed to pull within a possession or two a handful of times, but Milwaukee never relented and pulled away each time. An 9-2 run midway through the second half provided all the separation the Panthers needed, turning a six-point lead into a 13-point advantage with 4:43 to play.

Youngstown State would get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Milwaukee overcame a cold shooting night Sunday to hit on 47.2 percent from the field on Thursday. It also made 7-of-16 from three-point range (43.8 percent) and 15-of-21 from the free throw line (71.4 percent). The Panthers also had 22 assists on 25 made baskets compared to just 15 turnovers. They also won the battle of the boards, 33-31, despite LaFleur and Scott's efforts.

"Something we worked on in practice, moving the basketball, moving it from left to right. I thought early in the game we were taking quick shots and we did a better job, especially in the second half, moving the ball, using the shot clock and getting better shots for ourselves."

Williams led the assist column with game-high seven assist, but Hickman and senior Turquoise McCain added four each and Edwards and junior Jodie McClain dished out three apiece.

Edwards reached both milestones in the second half, pulling down rebound No. 1,000 at the 16:57 mark. After become the second Panther to 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, she started her own club at 1:12, sinking a pair of free throws for 2,000.

The 6-foot-2 center from Menasha, Wis., is one of only three active players to reach both milestones, following Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Angel McCoughtry of Louisville.

The Panthers stay in northeast Ohio to take on Cleveland State Saturday. UWM and CSU tip off at 4 p.m. central time.