Nov. 5, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes

MILWAUKEE - Junior Ashley Imperiale scored 19 points and junior Lindsay Laur had a double-double of 11 points and 14 boards to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a 66-57 win over UW-Stevens Point in an exhibition contest Thursday evening at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers trailed by one as late as 8:43 in the second half, but began pulling away and built a 10-point advantage in the final minute. They finish the exhibition season 1-1 after a buzzer-beater loss to UW-Parkside last Sunday.

"There is a lot of room for improvement, but I am pleased with the victory," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "It's nice to get a victory. That will really help our confidence (heading into the regular season). Stevens Point is one of the top D-III teams in the country and they play like it, so it's a great victory for us."

Imperiale chipped in eight rebounds, while junior Jenilee Klomstad also reached double-figures with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Stevens Point, which is ranked No. 23 in the Division III preseason poll after finishing seventh last season, was led by Andrea Flease's 13 points and seven steals. Cassie Bandow added 11 points and three steals.

Both teams struggled shooting from the floor, but Milwaukee was able to capitalize from the free throw line to the tune of 84.6 percent (22-of-26). The Pointers attempted 23 free throws, but made just 12 (52.2 percent). They were also 31.3 from the field, but made just three of 25 three-point attempts. UWM was not much better, shooting 33.9 percent for the game and 23.5 percent from three-point range.

The Panthers broke open a close game early with a 15-4 run midway through the first half, turning a 14-14 game into 29-18 UWM lead with 5:06 to go before halftime. The visitors managed to whittle that lead to five at the break at 36-31.

Neither team was able to generate much offense coming out of halftime, combining to miss their first 13 shots and commit seven turnovers over the first 4:43 of the second half. The Pointers got rolling first, battling for their only lead of the second half at 43-42 with 10:34 to play.

UWM bounced back and held UWSP without a field goal for over six minutes before eventually regaining a double-digit lead it carried into the final minute.

Milwaukee capitalized on its size advantage to pull down a 55-41 advantage on the boards, but turned the ball over 20 times, including 15 Pointer steals.

Freshman Sammy Theut put together a solid evening with seven points, four rebounds and a game-high six assists.

With two exhibition games under their belt, the Panthers get the regular season underway next weekend with a pair of road games. They play at Evansville Friday, Nov. 13, before heading to SIU Edwardsville for a Sunday afternoon tilt. Friday's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off, while Sunday's game is at noon.