Jan. 16, 2014

Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team trimmed a 13-point second-half deficit down to just four, but Cleveland State University scored eight of the final 10 points of the game from the free throw line to pull away for a 73-63 victory Thursday night at the Wolstein Center.

The Panthers (5-10, 1-1 Horizon League) never gave up in the second half, but the Vikings (8-8, 3-0 Horizon League) had an answer each time to remain perfect in Horizon League play in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.

"A lot of credit goes to Cleveland State, they have a great team right now that can play both inside and out," UWM head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "But, I felt like we gave up a lot of opportunities within the game tonight. Whether it was fouling or just not hustling for an offensive or defensive board, that really was the story of the game."

Sophomore Avyanna Young led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, seeing her streak of consecutive double-doubles stopped at four. Junior Ashley Green had a solid game with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Senior Angela Rodriguez chipped in with 12 points and a team-high seven assists, while freshman Bre'Zall Warren was also in double-figures with 10 points, all in the second half.

Kiersten Green paced the victors with 25 points, with Imani Gordon ending the night with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Down 65-55, UWM marched right back. Warren hit a three, Green a layup and Young followed with a 1-of-2 effort from the line to make it 65-61 with 2:38 to go. That was as close as Milwaukee would get, however, making just one of its final seven shots the rest of the way while the Vikings would go eight of 10 from the free throw line to ice it.

"We put ourselves in such big holes throughout the game and then tried to make runs to put us back in it, but we just fell short in the end," Rechlicz said.

The Panthers committed just 10 turnovers, but went to the free throw line just 15 times - making 10 - compared to a 26-of-35 showing from the charity stripe for CSU.

"I think we weren't ready to play that athleticism," Rechlicz said. "It's a very different team than Green Bay. I think they were a step quicker and we were a step slower. But, I told them in the locker room, `this was a three-point game with two-and-a-half minutes to go and this team is leading our conference'. We are right there - we are so close."

It was a game of scoring runs. UWM trailed 48-37, but used a 12-4 run to get back within three at 52-49 on a Green jumper with just under 12 minutes remaining. That momentum was quickly turned over the next four minutes, with the Vikings holding UWM to no makes on its next 10 shots while scoring 10 unanswered points.

It was an up-and-down first half for the Panthers, trailing by double-digits before a Rodriguez coast-to-coast layup capped a 15-5 run and tied the game at 24-24 with 4:37 left before halftime. But, Cleveland State regained momentum quickly, outscoring Milwaukee, 12-4, the rest of the half to take a 36-28 advantage into the locker room.

The Panthers scored the first basket right off the tip and led 4-3, only to see CSU respond with an 11-2 run to lead 14-6 on a free throw at the 13:20 mark. The Vikings would then jump ahead by 10 at 19-9 before Milwaukee responded with back-to-back-to-back three's by sophomore Jordyn Swan and a pair by Green. That 9-0 spurt made it 19-18 at the 8:36 mark.

Green paced UWM with 11 at intermission, with CSU's Green netting 13, including three three's, for the home Vikings. Milwaukee finished the day at 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the floor and made nine three-pointers. The Vikings finished at 42.6 percent (20-of-47) and won the rebounding battle, 42-32.

Up next, the Panthers remain in Ohio and head to Youngstown State for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Penguins. Tip time is set for 3:35 p.m. CST.