Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Feb. 7, 2009) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team had four post players score in double-figures and blocked a season-high nine shots for the second-straight game to defeat Youngstown State, 78-51, Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Center.

Senior Traci Edwards led the Panthers (10-12, 5-6 Horizon) with 21 points and a school-record seven block shots, taking advantage of the Penguins (2-20, 0-11 Horizon) being down their two top post players.

"I thought it was an all-around great team game," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "We accomplished our goals, which were to outrebound them by 10, keep them under 35 percent shooting, have a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and shoot 50 percent, so we accomplished almost everything. I thought our kids were focused, concentrated and played an all-around solid basketball game."

Edwards added eight rebounds, while sophomore Jenilee Klomstad scored 12. Senior Katie Fournier chipped in 10 points in just six minutes of action and sophomore Lindsay Laur had 10 points and nine boards to fall one board shy of a double-double for the fourth-straight Saturday.

"That's what we talked about," Botham said of her team's size advantage. "I thought there were times in the first half where we didn't take advantage of it like we could have because of the mismatches. That's something we talked about, playing an inside, outside game and getting the ball into the paint. I thought our players focused really well on that and they shot well from it. It was great to see Katie come off the bench and provide that kid of offensive spark."

Edwards had five first-half blocks and broke the school record of six she held with Maria Viall early in the second half. She was also one of three players with eight-or-more rebounds, as UWM racked up a 47-29 advantage on the boards. The Panthers allowed YSU to shoot just 27.3 percent for the game, their third-straight opponent to shoot 30.5 percent or worse.

"Overall, I think our team defense has been stellar in keeping teams under 30 percent the last three games," Botham said. "When you have post players that have that kid of presence, you can be more aggressive on the ball defensively. That's a good string, foundation as we head into the end of the season and the league tournament. If we can have a good, solid defense we can keep working our offensive side."

Camisha Alexander was the lone YSU player in double-figures, sinking five three-pointers on her way to 17.

The Panthers used their substantial size advantage from the opening tip. They led 34-23 at the half, outscoring Youngstown State 16-4 in the paint in the opening half, with a 29-20 advantage on the boards and blocked six shots.

Alexander did her best to keep the Penguins in the game, burying four first-half three-pointers for a then game-high 12 points. But, UWM closed the half on a 15-6 run to take control of the game.

Milwaukee also held on to the ball, dishing out 10 assists compared to just three turnovers, the team's fewest in a half this season.

The second half opened with UWM on a 10-2 run as it rolled in the second half. The Panthers shot 60.7 percent in the second half in building their lead as high as 30 at 77-47 with 1:00 to play.

The Panthers shot 48.5 percent for the game, racking up a total of 38 points in the paint. In fact, sophomore Maurika Hickman hit a three-pointer with 4:41 for the team's first of only two for the game. UWM was among the league leaders with six made threes per game, but hit a pair late to extend its school-record streak to 198-straight games with a three-pointer.

Milwaukee also committed just 11 turnovers, compared to 23 assists.

UWM returns to action on the road, playing at Detroit Thursday and at Wright State Saturday.