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CLEVELAND, Ohio (Jan. 4, 2010) - Junior Lindsay Laur had a career-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball fell to Cleveland State, 73-61, Monday evening at the Wolstein Center.

The Panthers (6-7, 1-1 Horizon) trailed by as many as 10 early in the second half before pulling within one thanks to a 12-3 run. Unfortunately, the Vikings' (6-7, 1-1 Horizon) controlled the boards and fended off UWM down the stretch.

"It was a hard-fought game. I'm really proud of our kids' effort. They executed the game plan well," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "One place we just did not do as good of a job was their offensive rebounds. They got some big offensive boards. We cut it to (one) and that was the back-breaker."

In addition to Laur's fourth double-double of the season, Milwaukee also got 17 points and six rebounds from junior Jenilee Klomstad. Junior Ashley Imperiale finished with eight points, while senior Jodie McClain had six assists and three steals and junior Stephanie Schell had five assists.

Kailey Klein had 19 points, all in the second half, to lead Cleveland State. Shawnita Garland scored 15 and Shalonda Winton 10. Two more players added nine points, including Stephanie Crosley who pulled down 13 boards.

The Panthers looked to put together a second-straight strong second half effort, coming out of halftime trailing by five. CSU was able to build on that lead and make it a 10-point game at 44-34 with 14:43 to play. Laur then hit a jumper, Schell followed with a three and Laur knocked down a three of her own.

After three Cleveland State points, back-to-back UWM baskets made it 47-46 with 10:03 to play. An 11-2 run by the home team made it a 10-point game once again and seven-straight points later on extended the Vikings' lead to a game-high 12. The Panthers could not get the deficit under 10 the rest of the game.

Milwaukee shot 51.9 percent to finish at 41.1 percent for the game, while making 5-of-16 three-point attempts and 10-of-15 from the free throw line. The Panthers dished out 19 assists compared to just 16 turnovers.

The Vikings shot 43.5 percent on the night, making just six of their 23 three-point attempts. They dominated the boards, 44-30, including 14 offensive rebounds for 19 second-chance points.

CSU benefited from an 8-0 run in the first half to overtake a 10-6 Panther lead early. From that point on, the two teams traded baskets finally settling in at 30-25 at halftime.

UWM returns to action this week at home, hosting Detroit at the Klotsche Center Thursday night at 7 p.m.