DETROIT, Mich. – Everything was clicking for the Milwaukee women's basketball team as the Panthers rolled to a 77-38 victory over Detroit Mercy. MKE shot a season-best 56.3 percent and held the Titans to just 24.0 percent from the floor.
 
"We always say our defense fuels our offense," head coach Kyle Rechlicz commented. "The way that we play defense is going to spark how we play offense. And we always have control over that. Sometimes we don't have control whether the ball goes in the basket or not. We were fortunate today that it did but at least we can rely on our defense. It is definitely a point of pride for our team."
 
The Panthers (9-1, 6-0 Horizon League) started relatively slow offensively, but responded to shoot 60 percent in each of the final three frames, earning their largest win of the year.
 
On the defensive end, Milwaukee held the opposition to under 26 percent shooting for the third consecutive game. The Panthers, who came into today as the 15th ranked scoring defense in the nation, have allowed just 39.3 points per game over the last three contests.
 
MKE led by just five after the first 10 minutes but behind the play of Emma Wittmershaus and Brandi Bisping, the Panthers began to create separation. The two post players combined for 10 points and seven rebounds in the second quarter alone to help Milwaukee build a 17-point advantage at the half.
 
The Panthers continued to pour it on as the lead reached 21 following a layup from Wittmershaus with 3:46 remaining in the third and Angie Cera pushed it to 23 after knocking down a three-pointer to close the third.
 
Rechlicz had a chance to rest her starters in the fourth, but the bench continued to roll. MKE held the Titans (1-9, 1-5 Horizon League) to 1-for-13 shooting from the field as the Panthers outscored Detroit Mercy 21-5 in the final 10 minutes.
 
"This is great opportunities for our bench players to learn," Rechlicz commented. "There's going to be times this season where we are in big moments and they are going to be called on. And they are going to be ready because of this. It's really awesome to see that when they step in the game, they come in ready to compete."
 
Milwaukee spread the wealth in the win as 12 different players scored led by A. Cera's 13. The freshman knocked down three more triples and finished 4-for-6 from the floor.
 
Wittmershaus dominated down low, totaling 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds to go with two blocks.

"She had a great weekend. I actually think she was the player of the weekend in all aspects," Rechlicz said. "Her passing was incredible as well as her defense."
 
Collectively, the Milwaukee bench put up 45 points. Outside of Cera and Wittmershaus, Miquela Santoro, Kendall Nead, and Lior Halevi each scored six points.
 
The Panthers next return to the Klotsche Center for a series against Horizon League newcomer, Purdue Fort Wayne. Tipoff for each game on January 8 and January 9 is scheduled for 6:00 pm as part of a double-header with the Milwaukee men's basketball team. Live coverage links can be found on MKEPanthers.com.