MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Milwaukee women's basketball team pushed late but couldn't get the shots to drop in the fourth quarter, dropping a 61-49 decision to Northern Kentucky at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers finished just 3-for-15 from the floor and were outscored 17-9 in the final 10 minutes in the loss.
 
After a slow start in the first quarter, Milwaukee (4-9, 1-1 Horizon League) got it rolling over the next two periods, combining to shoot 50 percent (12-for-24) from the floor to cut into the nine-point deficit.
 
The Panthers trailed by double digits with 4:19 left in the half but baskets from Bre Cera and McKaela Schmelzer had Milwaukee within six. Cera added a free throw with 1:05 to play before Northern Kentucky (7-6, 1-1 Horizon League) hit a late jumper to go up 31-24 at the break.
 
Out of the locker room, the two teams traded scores before Milwaukee rattled off a 12-2 run over the next three minutes behind three-pointers from Sydney Levy and Schmelzer. The run handed Milwaukee its first lead since the first field goal of the game at 40-38.
 
The Norse halted the rally, however, scoring six straight points to end the third pulling back on top 44-40.
 
Another NKU basket had the visitors up six but Odegard drilled a triple at the 8:49 mark of the fourth quarter to cut the Norse lead to three.
 
Then the shots stopped falling. Milwaukee went cold, missing its next eight attempts over the next six minutes while Northern Kentucky built its lead to 56-43 with 3:23 to play.
 
Tadri Heard provided a nice spark off the bench, scoring a quick five points to pull Milwaukee within eight but Northern Kentucky answered and converted its free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
 
Milwaukee tightened up the perimeter defense on Monday night, holding Northern Kentucky to just 23.8 percent (5-for-21) from long range. The Panthers also forced 17 turnovers, the second highest total this season.
 
Cera led Milwaukee with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting while knocking down five of her six free throw attempts. The redshirt junior added three rebounds and three steals.
 
Schmelzer converted her opportunities when available, going 3-for-4 from the floor and leading with three assists for Milwaukee.
 
As a team, the Panthers finished 19-for-51 (37.3 percent) from the field and 4-for-21 from three-point range.
 
Next up, Milwaukee heads to Green Bay on Saturday, January 4 to take on the Phoenix. Tipoff from the Kress Center is scheduled for 1:00 pm with live coverage links available on MKEPanthers.com.