Traci Edwards breaks Horizon League's all-time scoring record

Jan. 10, 2009

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Senior Traci Edwards scored a game-high 23 points to break the Horizon League record for career scoring, but it was not enough as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team lost to Cleveland State, 54-49, Saturday evening at the Wolstein Center.

Edwards needed 19 points to break the record of 2,018 held by Butler's Julie VonDielingen (1989-93). She broke the record with a contested lay-up at the 8:13 mark of the second half.

"It's pretty cool. It's the same as all of the records that I have broken," Edwards said. "Tonight it was tough, though, with losing, and I haven't really let it sink in yet. But, it isn't over and I just need to keep going."

Her record-breaking basket came in a key stretch for the Panthers (6-8, 1-2 Horizon) that saw them score 10-straight points to pull within one at 43-42 after trailing by as many as 11. The Vikings (8-8, 2-2 Horizon) fended off UWM down the stretch and never allowed the game to become tied.

"We're disappointed to not be able to bring home two on this Ohio road trip," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "Give Cleveland credit. They came out with a lot of intensity. We talked about setting our tone and they came after us and we didn't respond well. It's frustrating; things that we can control that we are not controlling--our focus, our intensity level, or will to win. We made a game of it and had our chances, but weren't able to take care of the ball down the stretch."

Edwards added 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, which also had a double-digit scorer in junior Jodie McClain. A native of Westerville, Ohio, McClain scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting on the night in front of a hometown crowd. She knocked down all three 3-point shots she attempted.

"Good for Traci. I thought she put together two great halves," Botham said. "It's nice to have a player of that caliber, it's just anti-climactic that you can't get a victory in a game like this. She's just proven herself."

Cleveland State had three double-digit scorers, led by Shawnita Garland's 18. Jessica Rogue added 17 and Kailey Klein 15. Just seven Vikings played and just five scored.

The Panthers came out of the games sluggish and were unable to capitalize on the Vikings missing nine of their first 10 shots. A McClain three-pointer tied the score at 11-11 at 9:25. Cleveland State then rattled off a 15-4 run to take a 26-15 lead with just under four minutes to play.

Milwaukee was able to get its offense going after that, but not before CSU built its lead to 12, and the game went into halftime with the home team ahead, 31-23.

Despite starting out 1-for-10, the Vikings finished the half at 35.5 percent and knocked down five 3-pointers. The Panthers struggled to get their offense going and shot 33;.3 percent, knocked down four 3's and turned the ball over 12 times.

Also, despite conceding the size advantage, the Cleveland State pestered UWM in the paint and forged an 18-17 advantage in the half.

The second half began much like the first half, before a 10-0 Panther run made it a one-point game with 6:41 to play. Milwaukee did not fall more than a possession down the rest of the way until it was forced to foul in the final moments.

"We are a good team when it comes to getting back into games," Edwards said. "We just need to figure out a way to get up on teams and put them out, instead of us having to come back."

Klein came up with a key block that helped the home team fend off Milwaukee. The Panthers missed two shots, had a turnover and a three-pointer by McClain in the final 35 seconds, but Cleveland State converted 5-of-7 free throws to ice the game.

"We had so many opportunities to overcome the deficit and put ourselves up," Botham said. "Turnovers, too many turnovers down the stretch. But give Cleveland State credit, their defense was strong and they really took it to us and we just didn't have consistency. Our biggest challenge is our consistency."

The Panthers used 40.9 percent shooting in the second half to finish at 37 percent for the game. They knocked down 6-of-15 three-pointers, but shot just 52.9 percent from the free throw line. Milwaukee was also hounded by turnovers, finishing with 21.

UWM was still strong on defense, limiting Cleveland State to just 32.1 percent shooting and 19 turnovers. The Vikings gained a 38-31 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive boards.

Milwaukee returns home next week, hosting Wright State at the U.S. Cellular Arena Thursday and Detroit at the Klotsche Center Saturday.

-- Story courtesy of Milwaukee Women's Basketball SID Kevin Conway