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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s basketball team used hot shooting and a trio of quick second-half runs to pull away from the University of Evansville Purple Aces by a score of 77-68 in the season-opener for both teams at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.

 

After Evansville and Milwaukee battled to a 37-37 standstill after 20 minutes, the Panthers used a quick 10-4 run out of the halftime locker room to grab a six-point lead, 47-41, four minutes into the second half. Evansville trimmed the lead back to five points, 49-44, on a lay-up by senior center Hannah Singleton with 12:15 to play, but a quick 8-2 run over the next three minutes would push Milwaukee’s lead to 11, 57-46, at the midpoint of the second half.

 

The Purple Aces would remain within striking distance until under five minutes to go, when a final Milwaukee run sealed UE’s fate. A less than three-minute 11-4 run by the Panthers with under five minutes to go would push the Milwaukee lead to 17, 73-56, and force a valiant last-second push by Evansville to come up short.

 

For the game, the Panthers shot 50.9 percent from the floor on 27-of-53 shooting from the floor. Evansville was able to get 24 more shots than Milwaukee thanks to forcing 25 turnovers defensively, but UE shot just 32.5 percent from the floor (25-for-77) and 52.2 percent from the free throw line (12-for-23) on the night.

 

Junior forward Lindsay Laur paced Milwaukee with a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double. Guard Ashley Imperiale pitched in 13 points, while center Jenilee Klomstad and point guard Jodie McClain each added 11 points apiece. Sophomore guard Jordan Lewis led Evansville’s attack with 12 points, while freshman guard Kaylan Martin added 11 points.

 

With the victory, Milwaukee improves to 1-0 on the season, while UE falls to 0-1. Evansville will host an experienced Samford squad on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Roberts Stadium on United Way Day. Samford returns four starters and eight players from a 22-7 squad of a year ago. Children’s book hero Napoleon Peacock and Indiana Fever guard Tully Bevilaqua will be on hand to greet fans on Sunday, as UE will honor the United Way for their efforts in the community. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children.