Box Score

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

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Feb. 24, 2011) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team had four players score in double-figures and was a perfect 17-for-17 at the free throw line in defeating Butler, 73-66, Thursday evening at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (10-16, 7-8 Horizon) were also a strong 8-of-17 from three-point range to snap a three-game losing streak and run past the second-place Bulldogs (17-11, 11-5 Horizon).

"I'm thrilled to get the win," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "I just thought it was a total team effort. We showed great focus. We got a little tentative going into the second half and had a little (tough) stretch, but came back out aggressive, played with no fear and really took it to them. We played good team basketball."

Lindsay Laur led Milwaukee with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Sami Tucker scored 17 points off the bench, while Anne Breland hit four 3-pointers on her way to 14 points and Angela Rodriguez tallied 10 points. Courtney Lindfors chipped in eight points and joined Tucker and Breland with six rebounds apiece.

Alyssa Pittman paced Butler with 25 points, adding five assists and six steals. Chloe Hamilton was the only other Bulldog in double-figures with 17 as the starting five battled foul trouble for much of the game.

The game was back-and-forth featuring a number of runs, five ties and five lead changes. Butler struck first, taking a 17-11 lead by the 11:53 mark before UWM responded with a 17-3 run to take a 28-20 lead just over six and a half minutes later. A three-point play by Laur capped the run at 5:22 and represented her team's final field goal as the visitors tied the game at 32-32 with a 12-4 run to close the half.

Milwaukee went up five to start the second half, but the visitors were able to score six-straight points to retake the lead at 40-39. Lindfors followed with a layup to make it 41-40, Rodriguez then hit with a three, the first of four-straight three-point possessions for UWM. Tucker followed with a three of her own, Rodriguez hit another and Tucker converted a three-point play to make it 53-45 at 9:02.

The Panthers would never trail again.

Butler fought within two on a couple of occasions, but each time the Panthers would get a key basket or defensive stop to keep the visitors at bay. Leading 66-64, Laur converted a three-point play off a give-and-go with Lindfors to make it a five-point game with 30 seconds remaining to effectively ice the game.

The Panthers shot well from everywhere on the floor, finishing at 48 percent from the field. They tied the school record for free throw percentage in a game for the second time this season and converted the second-most free throws in a game without a miss. UWM also forged a tight 35-34 rebounding advantage.

The Bulldogs shot 35.9 percent for the game and made just 5-of-25 from three-point range. BU also struggled at the free throw line, making just 15-of-22 attempts (.682). Butler did pull down 17 offensive boards and came away with 15 steals. It forced 20 turnovers on the night, turning those into 25 points.

Milwaukee closes out its regular season home schedule Saturday, hosting Valparaiso at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers and Crusaders tip off at 2 p.m. on Senior Day. Five UWM seniors will be honored before the game.