PEORIA, Ill. – McKaela Schmelzer hit a three-pointer with 2:13 remaining to cap a 16-2 fourth quarter run and help the Milwaukee women's basketball team take down Bradley University 65-60 on Saturday evening. The triple put the Panthers on top 58-51 and MKE converted its free throws down the stretch to start 2-0 for the first time since 2009-10.
 
For the second consecutive game, it was the Panthers' second half that was the difference. Behind the strong play of Illinois native Brandi Bisping and her 16 points and seven rebounds, Milwaukee (2-0) outscored Bradley 46-38 in the final 20 minutes.
 
Bisping, who grew up just miles from Bradley and whose sister played for the Braves, finished the game with her fifth career double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to go with four assists and a pair of steals.
 
"Like I said in the last interview, she's just someone you can't take off the floor," head coach Kyle Rechlicz commented. "She's such a capable scorer. She's so balanced and just our energy giver. I'm so proud of her and happy that she was able to come back to a place like Bradley, close to her hometown, and have a game like that. It was an awesome experience for her."
 
Down 49-42 with 8:04 remaining after the Braves' Gabi Haack hit three free throws, Milwaukee began to chip away. Emma Wittmershaus knocked down a pair of baskets inside and Schmelzer added two free throws before a triple by Bre Cera at the 4:31 mark gave the Panthers the lead.
 
Four more free throws from Milwaukee sandwiched a Bradley basket before the Schmelzer triple put an exclamation point on the run and had the Panthers in control for the win. MKE outscored Bradley 23-11 in the final eight minutes of play.
 
It was a defensive battle in the first half as Bradley shot just 28 percent while Milwaukee was held to 6-for-31 shooting from the floor including a 1-for-12 performance from three-point range.
 
In the third, the Panthers began to find their range, however, as Milwaukee hit all five of its triples including two from Bisping who had the first 10 points of the quarter.
 
Bradley came out strong in the fourth with two baskets and the three free throws to stretch its lead to seven before Milwaukee responded with the big run.
 
Schmelzer and Cera joined Bisping in double digits with 12 and 11, respectively. Megan Walstad was held to just four points but pulled in 11 rebounds, her second straight game with at least 10 boards.
 
Milwaukee finished 23-for-29 at the free throw line, the second straight game with at least 22 made from the charity stripe. That marks the first time since the 2018 that the Panthers recorded 20 made free throws in back-to-back games.
 
The Panthers will next be on the road but just a few miles from the Klotsche Center as they take on Marquette University on December 2. Tipoff from the Al McGuire center is scheduled for 1:00 pm with live coverage links available on MKEPanthers.com.