A clutch layup and converted free throw in the second overtime helped the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers women’s basketball team capture a win from the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on Friday, Nov. 25, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Senior Molly O’Brien made a layup with 33 seconds remaining and freshman Traci Edwards converted a free throw with 9.9 seconds to go, taking the win, 90-87.

SEMO’s Wanika Owsley converted the game-tying shot at both the end of regulation and the first overtime for the Redhawks (1-2), but it was not enough to put away the Panthers (2-2), as they scored the win.

The game was knotted at 83-83 going into the second overtime. UWM came out scoring when the extra frame began. UWM scored the first four points on two free throws from Megan Rogers and an Edwards’ layup.

SEMO battled back with four-straight points by Joiceline Thesing to tie it at 87. UWM got the points when they most needed it. The Panthers scored the final three points of the game and hung on for the victory.

“I felt like we were in control of the whole game after the first few minutes,” said head coach Sandy Botham. “Every time they came at us and made a surge, I thought we answered well. In the first overtime, I said, ‘they answered you, answer back.’ In the second, it was ‘they answered you again, now come back.’ They did a great job of keeping their composure and answering their runs.”

Edwards recorded her second-straight double-double. She poured in 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to go with four blocks.

Senior Nichole Drummond added 20 points and three steals. Joining Drummond in double-digit points were junior Rogers with 14, O'Brien with 13 and nine rebounds and sophomore Meredith Onson added 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

UWM returns home next week for two games, beginning with nationally ranked DePaul today at 7 p.m. SEMO then comes to the Klotsche Center Friday at 7 p.m. The Panthers own a 5-3 record all time against SEMO.

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