Feb. 23, 2012

Box Score | Postgame Report | Tucker Postgame Player of the Game Interview

MILWAUKEE - Junior Sami Tucker recorded a game-high double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team to a 54-52 victory over Butler University Thursday night at the Klotsche Center.

In a game that featured eight ties and 12 lead changes, Tucker's layup and free throw with 7:25 remaining broke a 41-41 deadlock and ignited a 10-1 run that gave the Panthers (8-18, 4-11 Horizon league) control of the game.

"It feels like every game against Butler comes down to the wire and it has always been a great matchup," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "I am so proud of them and it feels good to come out on the winning end. The players had good composure, played with confidence and shared the ball. Overall it was a great team victory."

The Bulldogs (12-14, 8-7 Horizon league) battled back and cut the lead to one with 1:10 to go at 53-52, but sophomore Courtney Lindfors made one of two free throws with just 1.3 seconds remaining after the UWM defense forced a pair of Butler misses. BU rebounded the second attempt but was unable to get off a shot before time expired.

"Everyone was biting their nails when they made that run but we talked about that in the huddle," Botham said. "I thought our team did a great job on staying focused on what they needed to do on both ends of the court. It was great to see them do it here in front of the home crowd."

Freshman Ashley Green added 15 points for UWM, which limited the Bulldogs to 31.7 percent (19-for-60) shooting in the game. Lindfors finished with five points, but did have 10 rebounds and five blocks. Sophomore Angela Rodriguez chipped in with nine points and three assists.

Jenna Cobb and Hannah Douglas both had 11 points to lead Butler.

Tucker's point total matched a career-high, while her rebound total was a collegiate-best and also featured the 500th rebound of her career, marking the 22nd player to reach that total in school history.

"She (Tucker) was big and was a key for us," Botham said. "I thought we did a great job on the offensive glass in the second half and Sami was a catalyst to that."

The closely-contested game went back and forth all night, especially in the second half. Butler tied the contest at 27-27 on the first basket after intermission and neither team led by more than three points over the course of the next 13 minutes of game time.

Tucker put Milwaukee up, 41-39, on a layup at the 8:27 mark, only to see Mandy McDivitt tie it on the ensuing possession.

Tucker launched a three from the top on the next UWM possession, followed it up with her own rebound and made a layup and got fouled. Her free throw made it 44-41 and was the start of a 10-1 spurt that helped UWM control the game, eventually leading 51-42 with 5:46 to play.

The Bulldogs would not go quietly. Following a three by McDivitt, Jenna Cobb nailed a three-ball of her own and then added a jumper that made it 53-52.

Following a turnover, the UWM defense forced a Cobb miss. Lindfors missed a layup with 17 seconds left, with Green grabbing the rebound before falling to the ground. Sarah Hamm forced a tie-up, giving Butler one more chance at the win on the possession arrow.

The defense was up to the task again, forcing a tough shot as time was winding down. Lindfors grabbed the rebound and made one of two, and that was all the Panthers needed to move from 10th to eighth in the league standings.

The team is currently tied with Valparaiso at 4-11 in league play, but has already beaten the Crusaders once this year and will host them next. That game will be the final home contest of the regular season and will be played Saturday at the Klotsche Center, set for a 2 p.m. tip.