YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Sydney Staver poured in a career-high 19 points to help the Milwaukee women's basketball team ice Youngstown State 74-62 at the Beeghly Center. After the Penguins erased an early deficit to tie it in the third quarter, the Panthers responded and finished 10-for-12 from the free throw line in the final period to close the win.
 
"I thought our team came out with a lot of energy and commitment to one another," head coach Kyle Rechlicz commented. "I thought they trusted one another and moved the ball well. We had a few players really step up in the scoring category and we haven't been having that this season."
 
Staver finished 2-for-5 from three-point range and 5-for-6 from the free throw line on her way to a new career-high. The junior added six rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals in the victory.
 
"She's [Staver] a key to who we are both offensively and defensively. It's nice to have her healthy again," Rechlicz stated. "She's really finding her rhythm."
 
The game featured two huge runs, one from each team, before Milwaukee (7-13, 4-5 Horizon League) took control. The Panthers rattled off a 19-5 run in the second quarter, but Youngstown State (11-9, 4-5 Horizon League) responded with a 20-4 run of its own to tie the game 39-39 in the third.
 
After the Penguins later pulled within one at 44-43, Staver took over, scoring nine straight points for Milwaukee to end the third quarter and put the Panthers in the driver's season 53-47.
 
MKE built that lead to nine just over a minute into the fourth after a three-pointer from Sydney Levy, setting up a dominant final frame. The Panthers shot 50 percent from the floor and hit 10 of 12 free throw attempts in the last 10 minutes, combating any chance of a Penguins comeback.
 
For the game, Milwaukee hit 21 free throws in 26 attempts, the second most this season. The Panthers also knocked down at least 40 percent of their shots from the field (42.6 percent) and from three-point range (41.2 percent) for just the third time this season.
 
"This is a tough place to play," Rechlicz said. "I thought our team really rose to the occasion. It is a great win going into the second half of conference."
 
MKE took care of business on the boards, winning the rebounding battle for the sixth time in seven games.
 
After YSU got ahead early 9-4, Milwaukee began to find its rhythm offensively and used a 9-0 run to build a 16-14 advantage after the first.
 
The Panthers continued to knock down shots in the second quarter, going 7-for-14 (50 percent) from the floor in the second quarter to build the lead up to 16 before the Penguins' rally ensued.
 
Brandi Bisping joined Staver in double digits, scoring 15 points after finishing 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. The junior also drew nine fouls, a team best.
 
The Panthers held a 26-22 advantage in points in the paint, largely thanks to Lizzie Odegard who dominated down low with nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Sydney Levy had an incredibly efficient game off the bench for Milwaukee, finishing plus-24 after going 2-for-2 from the field for five points and adding four rebounds and three assists.
 
"I thought our bench was incredible from an energy standpoint. I want to point our Anaiah Moore. I heard her all game trying to motivate our team and talking to them about things they can do better," Rechlicz added. "Everyone has a role and I thought everyone played their role really well today."
 
Milwaukee has a quick turnaround for the next road trip, heading to Northern Kentucky for a 6:00 pm start on Thursday, January 30. The Panthers then take on Wright State on February 1 before hosting five of their final seven games at the Klotsche Center. Live coverage links for all games can be found on MKEPanthers.com.