Feb. 9, 2012

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Junior Sami Tucker and freshman Ashley Green led four players in double-figures with 12 points each, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team dropped a 64-52 decision to Wright State University Thursday at the Klotsche Center.

Sophomore Angela Rodriguez had 11 points and freshman Kiki Wilson scored 10 to round out the list for the Panthers (6-16, 2-9 Horizon League). Tucker led the team with eight rebounds and Rodriguez added a game-high six assists. Molly Fox recorded a game-high double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Raiders (16-8, 9-3 Horizon League).

"We just have to learn to fight through any adversity that we have and stay consistent and stay focused," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "It's just growing. We are continuing to grow and get better but give Wright State credit."

Milwaukee quickly took the lead in the second half, going ahead 24-22 on a three by Wilson just 55 seconds in and again at 26-24 on a jumper by Rodriguez with 18:29 to play.

It went all Wright State's way at the point, rattling off a 20-2 run to go ahead 44-28 with just over 10 minutes to play and take control of the contest.

"Obviously, we don't have a ton of confidence right now," Bothan said. "We haven't won consistently and when teams go on runs, you can just see us get deflated and it affects us on the offensive end and on the defensive end."

After holding WSU to 29.2 percent shooting in the first half, Milwaukee saw the Raiders hit on 53.1 percent (17-of-32) in the second half to end at 42.9 percent for the game.

"Offensively, neither team shot real well," Botham said. "I thought we had good looks that we weren't able to knock down but our defense kept us in it which was great. We show great signs on both ends, but we need to put consistent possessions together."

Back and forth at the start, neither team had a lead bigger than two points until the 12:02 mark when Fox's three-pointer gave WSU a 13-8 advantage.

The Panthers stayed close and were within four at 17-13 when Rodriguez made three-pointers on back-to-back UWM possessions to tie it at 19-19 with 4:54 on the clock.

Both teams turned up the defense from there, combining on just two makes on the final 12 field goal attempts as WSU took a slim 22-21 lead into the locker room.

Fox was tough on UWM, making 5-of-7 shots from the floor en route to 13 points and seven rebounds at intermission. The Panthers used the long ball to combat that advantage, sinking five three's, including a trio from long range by Rodriguez.

On the night, Milwaukee forced 15 turnovers to win that battle by two but lost the rebounding category, 44-30.

The Panthers remain at home for a league contest against Detroit Saturday, also scheduled as the UWM "Pink Zone" game. Tip off is set for 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m. for health fair booths and other scheduled activities. See the UWM women's basketball website for more information.