Nov. 26, 2011

Box Score | "Player of the Game" Postgame Audio

MACOMB, Ill. - Freshman Ashley Green had 18 points and seven rebounds, junior Sami Tucker posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds and sophomore Angela Rodriguez added 16 points to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a convincing 79-66 victory over Western Illinois University Saturday at Western Hall.

In a game filled with scoring runs, the Panthers (1-3) used a 15-to-2 spurt against the Leathernecks (2-3) to take control of the game midway through the second half.

"It feels good," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "To start the road swing with a `W' is great. It was a hard-fought battle and was a game of runs. Western Illinois is a good basketball team and we knew that we would be tested tonight. When they went on that run in the second half, we responded well. We got ourselves some easy buckets by being more aggressive. Defensively, I was really proud of our effort. Holding them to 33 percent - forcing them into some tough shots - I think that was the big difference."

Milwaukee set season-highs in points (79), field-goal percentage (44.8 percent), three-point field-goal percentage (38.1 percent), rebounds (45) and assists (17) on the day.

Green came off the bench to set collegiate-bests with her point and rebound totals. She went 8-of-10 from the floor and added three assists, no turnovers and a steal in 32 minutes.

"Ashley creates a matchup problem with the other teams," Botham said. "She did a great job recognizing her defender and really going by. She was in an aggressive mode - attacked. She can score with her back to the basket and her versatility really creates some matchup problems."

Tucker went 7-of-8 from the line to help her scoring effort and Rodriguez knocked in four three's to help her to a season-high in points as well.

Up 50-45 at the 13:39 mark, Milwaukee would start the deciding spree on a three by Rodriguez. A jumper by Tucker would extend the lead back to 10 at 57-47 before she would tack on with five more made free throws to push the advantage to 15.

The lead would grow to as high as 18 on the next possession, with freshman Kiki Wilson drilling a three of her own to make it 67-49 and give UWM its largest lead of the night. Western would not go quietly, whittling the deficit back to 12 before another three-pointer by Rodriguez - this one with the shot clock expiring - essentially put the game away with just under four minutes to play.

Milwaukee looked to be in total control at the half, but WIU came out of the locker room on fire. Trailing by 10 at the break, the Leathernecks went on a 12-2 run in less than two minutes, making it a new game at 39-39 with 18:04 to play.

At that point the Panthers again responded with a big run, scoring 11 of the next 14 points of the contest - with Green netting seven of it - to make it 50-42 with just under 14 minutes to play to set the stage for the final heroics.

"We knew this team (WIU) was very streaky and when they get hot, they can get hot," Botham said. "And that was our goal. To really defend three's well and really keep them from getting on some runs. We struggled when they tied it but, again, was proud that we regained our composure."

The defense limited WIU into 33.3 percent shooting (23-of-69), including just 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from three-point range. Both totals were season-bests for the UWM defense. It also held Sadie Webb, who came into the game averaging close to 20 points, to just 11 on 3-of-10 shooting from the floor. Lindsay Carroll led WIU with 18.

The Panthers posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio of 17-to-12 and had fewer turnovers (12) than their opponent (15) for the fourth consecutive contest.

Sophomore Emily Decorah chipped in with nine points, with sophomore Courtney Lindfors scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds despite battling foul trouble. The double-double for Tucker was the fourth of her career and the first for a UWM player this season.

After trading baskets for the first six minutes, Milwaukee seemed to take control with an impressive run. Tied, 11-11, the Panthers went on a 16-2 run to make it 27-13 with 6:52 remaining in the first. The defense was especially impressive, holding the Leathernecks without a made field goal - missing all 16 attempts - for close to a nine-minute stretch of first-half action.

Up next, the Panthers remain in the state of Illinois and head east, taking on Bradley University Monday. Game time against the Braves is set for 7 p.m.