MILWAUKEE, Wis.  – Defense was the story yet again for the Milwaukee women's basketball team as the Panthers forced 21 turnovers and held Robert Morris to just 23.1 percent shooting in a 56-37 victory. MKE held RMU to just 11 points at the half, a program record, and moved to 4-0 in Horizon League play for the first time since 2001-02.
 
"Even when we are not scoring, we have control over our defense," head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "We're scrappy and we have people in the paint that can block shots. We just play with all of our hearts every single possession. I'm so proud of this team going into the break to be able to pull out those wins especially during finals week."
 
The Panthers' defense was non-stop the entire afternoon, forcing 21 turnovers with nine steals for the second consecutive game. Milwaukee (7-1, 4-0 Horizon League) held Robert Morris to just 23.1 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent from long range.
 
Offensively, it was a fast start for Milwaukee, who connected on its first four shots for a 9-2 run before defense really put the Panthers in control. MKE held Robert Morris (0-4, 0-4 HL) to 4-for-21 shooting in the first half for just 11 points.
 
Prior to Sunday afternoon, the program record for fewest points in one half by an opponent was 12 by Northern Kentucky on February 9, 2019.
 
The shots were not exactly falling for Milwaukee either, however, as the lead was just seven at the break. The Panthers finished the second quarter just 2-for-14 and missed on all seven three-point attempts.
 
Robert Morris came out of the locker room and cut its deficit to two, but Brandi Bisping took charge with 10 points in a 13-0 run to give the Panthers a 37-22 advantage with 1:18 to play in the third.
 
The Milwaukee defense continued to suffocate in the fourth, holding the Colonials to just 3-for-16 shooting from the floor as the Panthers earned the wire-to-wire victory.
 
The combination of Megan Walstad and Bisping inside helped the Panthers dominate on the glass and in the paint. Walstad finished with 13 points and nine rebounds while Bisping got to the free throw line, going 10-for-10 to finish with 14 points along with eight rebounds.
 
"They are incredible. Getting the ball in their hands, we feel safe. They are going to find a way to make a play and help the team," Rechlicz stated. "Because people have to double them, it allows open opportunities for other people. We've got a team that is really active and goes and gets the basketball, but it starts with our back line in Megan and Brandi."
 
MKE had 12 different players step on the court with 10 scoring at least one point. Lior Halevi scored her first points in a Panthers' uniform and added three rebounds. 

Alyssa Moore recorded four steals along with three points, two assists, and a rebound in the win.
 
As a team, Milwaukee owned a 45-27 advantage on the glass. The Panthers finished 20-for-27 at the free throw line, their third game this year with at least 20 made free throws.
 
Milwaukee will now have a break next weekend before returning to action on January 1-2 at Detroit Mercy. Live coverage links for the 4:00 pm CT tipoffs can be found on MKEPanthers.com.