Box Score |  Notes

VALPARAISO, Ind. (Feb. 27, 2010) - Sophomore Danielle Jorgenson had a double-double of 10 points and 19 rebounds and freshman Sami Tucker added 17 points, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team lost to Valparaiso, 70-58, Saturday afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Panthers (10-17, 5-11 Horizon) turned the ball over 22 times in losing for the seventh time in eight games. With the win, the Crusaders (8-19, 5-11 Horizon) pulled into a tie for eighth place in the league standings with UWM.

"It's tough. We are in a slump right now," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "Our players are playing hard, they just never gave up. We had some nice runs, we just weren't able to finish. Valpo hit some big shots--give them credit. They came out aggressive and hit some big shots and we just weren't able to respond."

Milwaukee jumped out to an early lead and held a 17-16 advantage before the Crusaders rattled off, what proved to be, a decisive 17-4 run over 4:09 for a 29-18 lead. Valpo would not relinquish the lead, though the Panthers made a game of it in the second half.

Jorgenson also blocked five shots and five assists, while her 19 rebounds are the most by a Panther since Traci Edwards had 19 at Youngstown State Feb. 9, 2008. Meanwhile, Tucker added seven rebounds. Milwaukee did not have anybody else in double-figures as junior Anne Breland and senior Jodie McClain scored nine points apiece.

Valpo put five players in double-figures, led by Raegen Moore's 16 points. Ashley Varner scored 13 points and Kelly Watts 10. Whitney Farris was the only starter to score in double-digits, tallying 11.

In addition to the turnovers, the Panthers also struggled shooting the ball, finishing at 35.7 percent for the game. They made just 4-of-19 from three-point range and, despite getting to the free throw line steadily in the first half (16 attempts), were 14-of-22 from the charity stripe for the game.

UWM held the Crusaders to just 28.1 percent shooting in the second half, but the home team was an even 50 percent in the opening frame and finished at 38.7 percent for the game. Valpo attempted 25 three's, making six, and were 13-of-18 at the free throw line in the second half to finish at 16-of-23.

Valparaiso also committed just nine turnovers for the game.

Despite facing a 38-30 deficit at halftime, the Panthers battled back in the second half. Jorgenson hit UWM's first two baskets of the period to make it just a five-point game at 39-34 with 15:46 to go. VU began to pull away, only for Breland to make it a six-point game with a three at 9:47 and again with a pair of three-pointers to make it 57-51 at 5:17.

That would be the last field goal made for Milwaukee until the 19-second mark, as the Crusaders embarked on 13-5 run to build a lead as high as 14 in the closing minute.

The Panthers return home next weekend, closing out the regular season with Cleveland State Thursday and Youngstown State Saturday.