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Post-Game Wrap-Up | Imperiale Post-Game Radio Interview

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Jan. 12, 2011) - Lindsay Laur and Angela Rodriguez each scored 20 points to lead four players in double-figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team defeated UIC, 85-78, in overtime Wednesday evening at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (5-11, 2-3 Horizon) trailed by as many as 10 in the opening half, but used a 14-2 run to take the lead in the second half and scored the last 10 points of overtime to pull out the victory.

"I'm so proud of our team and happy for them," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "It's been a challenging season so far, but we keep coming back, they keep having that will to get better, and it's paying off. Today it really paid off. We kept fighting and Ashley Imperiale hit big shots for us down the stretch. We need another senior leader out there, so it's great to have her back."

Laur added seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks for Milwaukee, while Ashley Imperiale chipped in 19 in her third game back from injury. Sami Tucker scored 12 points of her own to go with eight rebounds.

Shameia Green scored a game-high 28 points for the Flames (7-8, 2-2 Horizon), who also put four in double-digits. Briana Hinkle had 14 points, Jasmine Bailey 13 and Taylor Foulkes 10.

Facing a 78-75 deficit in overtime, the Panthers would not allow UIC to score again. Rodriguez made a pair of free throws and Laur drew a charge on Green. Imperiale then converted an old fashioned three-point play to give UWM the lead for good at 80-78 with 1:10 to play. UIC came up empty on its next four possessions, and Milwaukee converted 5-of-6 free throws to ice the win.

UWM shot 45 percent for the game, draining 12-of-21 (.571) from beyond the arc. The team also went 19-of-22 at the free throw line, including 9-for-11 in overtime. The Panthers also won the battle of the boards, 41-33. After 14 first-half turnovers, they committed just eight over the final 25 minutes of the game to finish with 22.

The Flames shot 39.4 percent for the game after coming out and hitting on 48.5 percent of their shots in the first half. They missed their last five shots of the game, as Milwaukee began pulling away. UIC was also 4-of-15 from three-point range, but converted on 18-of-23 at the free throw line. The visitors turned the ball over just 13 times, compared to 14 steals, and had 26 fast-break points.

UIC used a 17-4 run to take control of the game in the first half. The Panthers had claimed the 17-15 advantage on a Laur three-pointer, only to see the Flames respond with their run to take a commanding 32-22 lead with 4:09 to play in the frame.

Milwaukee would cut that lead to 36-30 at halftime and to 39-37 just over two minutes into the second half. UIC pulled away again, scoring seven-straight points for a 46-37 advantage. The Panthers then tied the game with nine-straight points and, after a pair of Bailey free throws, scored five more for a 51-48 edge.

The game remained within four the remainder of regulation, with both teams having a chance for a go-ahead basket in the final minute. A Tucker steal quashed the Flames' chance with 30 seconds to go and Anne Breland's layup rimmed out as time expired.

The Panthers will look to push their winning streak to three-straight Saturday, hosting Loyola at the Klotsche Center. UWM and the Ramblers tip off at 5 p.m. in a game that was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be televised live on Time Warner Sports 32 in Milwaukee.