MILWAUKEE - Despite a near-record defensive performance in the first half, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team could not close out a late lead against Bowling Green State University in falling, 60-50, Saturday at the Klotsche Center.
 
"It was very similar to the North Dakota game," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "We gave up way too many points in the second half. If a team punches and goes on a run, we have to learn how to punch back. We haven't gotten that mentality yet. Part of that is a lot of new faces, and part of that is just having the confidence that we are capable of winning these games."
 
The Panthers (1-2) limited the Falcons (2-1) to just 13 points in the first half and held a nine-point advantage with under eight minutes to play. But, BGSU crashed the party in Milwaukee's home opener, scoring 10 straight points as part of a 17-3 run that turned the game and handed the visitors the victory.
 
"We made too many mistakes," Rechlicz said. "To have 24 turnovers and expect to beat an NCAA-Tournament team, it's just not going to happen. We have to continue to grow and continue to learn from this. I am not giving up on our team at all."
 
Ashley Green continued her spectacular start to her senior campaign, putting up a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds, going 9-for-12 from the floor on the day.
 
Junior Jordyn Swan was next on the scoring list, finishing with nine points and six boards. Freshman Steph Kostowicz chipped in with six points and six rebounds.
 
Rachel Koeieczki scored a career-high 15 points – all in the second half – to lead the Falcons. Erica Donovan had 14 points and nine rebounds and played a key role in the scoring run that decided the outcome.
 
A defensive-dominated contest by both teams in the first half, the Panthers took a 16-13 lead into the locker room. The 13 points they held the Falcons to was just one off the school record of 12 accomplished in the first half against Wagner way back in December of 1997.
 
"We were really locked into our defense in the first half and I felt like we were just not hitting our shots," Rechlicz said. "We were all over the place; very atypical of who we are on the offensive end."
 
Milwaukee remained in control following intermission and still held a 37-28 advantage with 7:37 to play on a layup by senior Macie Dorow that forced a BGSU timeout.

"We started the second half doing the things we wanted to do on the defensive end," Rechlicz said. "We made them take tough shots but then Konieczki just sort of took off and as a team we didn't adjust to where she was on the court. She got hot and we couldn't stop her."
 
From there it was all Bowling Green, scoring 10 straight points to go ahead 38-37. Freshman Jenny Lindner hit a big three to give UWM back the lead at 40-38, but the 17-3 run that the Falcons went on overall gave them a 45-40 advantage and they held on from there.
 
Milwaukee limited its opponent to 30.2 percent (19-of-63) shooting on the day, but hit just 33.3 percent (18-of-54) of its own attempts. The 24 miscues played a crucial role, allowing the Falcons a 25-12 edge in points off turnovers in a game that featured seven ties and 10 lead changes.
 
The young Panthers have now led for over 50 minutes (50:35 of 80 total minutes) of the past two games, but have two tough-luck losses to show for it.
 
Up next, the team starts the Thanksgiving holiday off with a drive across town to face Marquette Wednesday. Tip off at the Al McGuire Center is set for 7 p.m.