MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Milwaukee women's basketball team put together a valiant effort on Thursday afternoon and led Minnesota by two at halftime but ultimately fell 77-61 at Williams Arena. The Gophers took advantage of 35 points off turnovers and converted 27 of 31 free throws to pull away.
 
Defense was key in the first for Milwaukee as the Panthers held the Gophers to just 25.0 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, Brandi Bisping and Bre Cera got to work early, cashing in a pair of baskets before Sydney Levy knocked down a three-pointer for a 7-5 lead.
 
After another Cera layup, Emma Wittmershaus cleaned up an offensive board and converted a three-point play for a 12-6 Milwaukee advantage. The Gophers responded with their first three-pointer of the match and another basket in the final possession, but it was the Panthers on top 14-11 after one.
 
In the second, a 7-0 Minnesota run had the Gophers up 20-16, but back-to-back three-pointers from Lizzie Odegard put Milwaukee back in front. The Panthers locked down the defense the final 4:46 of the first half, holding the Gophers without a field goal, but Minnesota kept it close, going 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
 
With under a minute to play in the half and Milwaukee trailing by four, Tadri Heard took over, knocking down a pair of three-pointers to put the Panthers up 33-31 at the half.
 
After the break, the Gophers turned up the pressure, forcing seven Milwaukee turnovers in the first four minutes while using an 13-0 run to pull ahead 44-33. The Panthers finally stopped the run with a three-pointer from Sydney Levy before Alyssa Fischer and Anaiah Moore each hit one of their own to bring Milwaukee within a pair. All 12 Panthers' points came from beyond the arc in the third period.
 
Minnesota continued to keep up the pace in the fourth, as it rattled off an 11-2 run to open the frame. Fischer knocked down her third triple of the game at the 5:03 mark but the Gophers responded with one of their own. From there, Minnesota continued to take advantage at the line and put Milwaukee in a deficit they could not recover from.
 
As a team, the Panthers controlled the boards, holding a 39-32 advantage. Brandi Bisping led the way with six while Odegard, Levy, and Emma Wittmershaus each added five. Bisping added three assists and two points while Odegard hit a pair of three-pointers for six points.
 
In 24 minutes off the bench, Levy finished 3-for-5 from the floor with eight points to go with her five rebounds.
 
Milwaukee connected on 11 three-point attempts, hitting 55 percent of its shots.
 
Minnesota reached the free throw line 31 times while Milwaukee was awarded just 11 from the charity stripe.
 
Fischer knocked down four three-point attempts and led the Panthers will 12 points while Cera added 10 points.
 
Next up, Milwaukee will conclude its Big Ten tour with a 6:00 pm matchup at Wisconsin on Sunday, November 17. Live coverage links for the matchup can be found on MKEPanthers.com.