Box Score GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Milwaukee women's basketball team cut a double-digit deficit down to four points in the final period but a late 10-0 run from Green Bay put the game out of reach. The Phoenix knocked down 57.1 percent of their shots in the final quarter to hold off the Panthers 61-48 on Saturday afternoon.
 
"A lot of credit to Green Bay – this is always a hard place to play," head coach Kyle Rechlicz stated. "They are a tough team. We needed to hit a few more shots especially in a few lull situations, but I thought we played really hard and gave everything we had."
 
After a layup from the Phoenix put Green Bay (7-8, 2-1 Horizon League) up 45-35 with 9:15 to play, Milwaukee (4-10, 1-2 Horizon League) rallied behind three-pointers from McKaela Schmelzer and Sydney Levy. The two led an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to four but then the home team caught fire.
 
Green Bay hit four of its next six shots during a 10-0 run to pull ahead by 14 at 57-43 with just over three minutes to play. Schmelzer ended the rally but the damage was done, and the Panthers couldn't climb back.
 
Neither team could get anything going in the first half as the Panthers and Phoenix combined to shoot 27.9 percent from the floor. Milwaukee owned a 26-17 advantage on the boards, but Green Bay turned 12 Panthers' turnovers into 13 points for a 27-19 advantage through 20 minutes.
 
In the third, the Phoenix built the lead to double digits once again, but Jamie Reit and Lizzie Odegard found the range, combining for three triples over the next minute and a half to pull Milwaukee within three.
 
The Panthers went scoreless over the last 3:30 of the third quarter, however, as Green Bay added a layup and three free throws for a 43-35 lead at the end of three.
 
A Phoenix layup from Madison Wolf to open the fourth put Green Bay back up by 10 before the final run.
 
Schmelzer commanded the floor against Green Bay and finished with nine points, five assists, and a rebound in 30 minutes.
 
"I though this was the best game 'McKaela played in her career," Rechlicz stated. "Not necessarily in terms of offense, but in managing the game. She was one of the best players on the court. Her confidence is high right now which in turn, helps our team's confidence."
 
The Panthers took care of business on the glass, owning a 41-32 advantage thanks in large part to Brandi Bisping and Odegard. Bisping pulled in a career-high 16 boards while Odegard tallied 11, her fourth double digit rebound game this year.
 
"Rebounding to me is heart. Lizzie and Brandi put so much into the defensive side this game and grabbing boards," Rechlicz said. "Brandi was huge on both ends. We need to convert a few more when she's hitting us with kick out three, but you can't teach effort like hers."
 
Reit finished with three triples and 11 points, her first double digit scoring game since December 5.
 
"Jamie has been putting the work. She wants to make her senior year special and she's putting in the time and getting herself back to making an impact on this team," stated Rechlicz. "She earned the shots she got tonight."
 
Milwaukee next heads to Michigan for a weekend series against Detroit Mercy and Oakland. The Panthers tipoff against the Titans on January 9 at 6:00 pm before taking on the Golden Grizzlies on January 11. Live coverage links can be found on MKEPanthers.com.