The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s basketball team fell to a 1-3 record after dropping a heartbreaker in overtime to the University of Miami, losing 73-70 on Wednesday night.

Traci Edwards led the Panthers with her usual double-double of 21 points and 10 boards, however, it was not enough to overcome the Panthers’ 32 turnovers.

“The story of our season, so far, has been turnovers. We had so many opportunities and just didn’t take advantage,” Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said in the post game press conference.

In the extra period Jodie McClain brought the Panthers within four at 72-70 after a pair of free throws. Turquoise McCain then stole the inbound pass only to see the Panthers lose possession after an ill-advised pass sailed out of bounds.

McCain struck again on the following inbound, tying up Miami guard Latoya Cunningham for a jump ball to give the Panthers one more shot.

However, Briyana Blair stole the Panthers inbound pass and quickly got the ball to Eboni Sadler, who was fouled with three seconds left. Sadler missed both free throws, but a Miami offensive rebound from Cunningham would all but end the game as she would make one of the two free throws with six seconds left.

Cunningham would lead the Canes with 17 points, followed by Albrey Grimsley, with 13.

It was a back and forth game, throughout which there were 10 lead changes and nine ties, as well as neither team leading by more than seven. The Panthers had the edge heading into the locker room at 33-31, however the Canes took the lead at 49-46 on a three-pointer by Lamese James and stayed in control until the final minute.

The Panthers used a 7-0 run to close out the last 47 seconds to pull even after trailing 60-53. McCain was the hero of the last 47 seconds, as she was able to convert on a lay-up off of a tipped ball from Jineen Williams, which she then followed by grabbing a defensive rebound on a missed free throw and moments later knocked down an open three-pointer on the other end to cut the lead to two with 26 seconds left.

The Canes would miss another pair of free throws and once again it was McCain that was there for the rebound. Edwards was then fouled on a shot and sunk both her free throws to tie things up at 60 with 7.8 seconds left.

Maurita Reid’s attempt at a game-winner from the right elbow would bounce off the back of the rim to send the game to overtime where the Panthers would eventually fall.

The Panthers held the edge in points in the paint and second chance points, but it was not enough to make up for the 31 points that the Canes were able to convert off of Panther turnovers.

“In pressure situations we just don’t have the habits yet,” Botham said. “It’s early in our season and we have to take these games as chances to grow.”

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