This is where the exhibition season comes in handy. With time running out against the Wisconsin AAU team two weeks ago, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s basketball team gave up the lead and the game in the final seconds, with Aubrey Hampton’s jumper being blocked as time expired.

Fast forward to Friday night, when the team used that experience to stave off Oakland in overtime, 73-71, at the Klotsche Center. However, some of those exhibition jitters remained in Sunday’s game as UWM was trounced by Iowa, 82-42.

Against Oakland, time was winding down in regulation when Meredith Onson drilled a jump shot to put Milwaukee up 61-59. On the ensuing possession, Oakland’s Jayme Wilson drew a foul, nailed her free throws and took the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Panthers were clutch, with senior Molly O’Brien sending a three-point shot through the basket with a 1:22 left in overtime. Junior Megan Rogers followed that up by hitting two free throws, putting UWM up 73-70. Oakland only got one point after that, and UWM secured its first win of the year.

Leading the Panthers with 19 points was freshman Traci Edwards, who is living up to her billing as an inside force. Molly O’Brien had a double-double, grabbing 10 boards and netting 14 points.

The other UWM player to score in double figures was freshman Kim Wypiszynski, who had 11 points. Senior Nichole Drummond, who usually is a high scorer, only had three points, but made up for it with six rebounds and two assists.

Two days after its big overtime victory, UWM traveled to Iowa City to take on the University of Iowa, who dominated the Panthers.

Even with a loss of that margin, UWM shot 50 percent in the first half. However in the second half, UWM shot only 15.6 percent and Iowa shot 61.5 percent.

“This early in the season, we are still figuring ourselves out,” head coach Sandy Botham said. “Our players, offensively, did some good things in the first half. It's taking care of the basketball and taking shots. I thought we had great looks in the second half. We just have to be able to finish the plays.”

Iowa lead by 15 at the half and continued to add to its lead, scoring the first six points of the second half.

The closest margin UWM could manage was 18 points as Iowa held on strong. Iowa’s defense smothered UWM’s offense, holding the Panthers scoreless for 8 minutes 45 seconds. Iowa used UWM’s cold streak to go on a 16-0 run.

“When teams go on runs, good teams like this, you can't afford to make mistakes,” Botham said. “You have to keep fighting. We lost the fight and that is what was disappointing.”

The Panthers play next at Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

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