INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Trailing by seven with 7:44 to play, the Milwaukee women's basketball team fought to get to overtime and finished 8-for-10 from the free throw line in two extra frames to claim an 85-83 victory over IUPUI. The win marked the Panthers 12th straight, matching a program record from the 2005-06 season.
 
"It was just such an incredible performance. I'm overjoyed for the players on our team," head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "They've put in so much work just making sure they are prepared for moments like this. The heart that we played with I think probably showed through the computer. To come on the road and win two games like that is an incredible feat for sure."
 
The Panthers (15-1, 12-0 Horizon League) were down by much as 11 late in the third quarter and seven in the fourth but showed no quit and continued to rally.
 
With 7:28 left in regulation, Megan Walstad and Emma Wittmershaus combined for eight straight points to give Milwaukee a one-point lead. The two teams saw seven lead changes and six ties the rest of the way to get to overtime.
 
Tied 75-75, Milwaukee had the ball with a chance to go in front. IUPUI (8-3, 6-2 Horizon League) forced a turnover and nearly had a fast break layup to win the game but the attempt just caromed off and the teams headed to another 10 minutes.
 
Walstad got it going again in double overtime as she connected for a pair of layups to put MKE in front by one. Following a Panthers' miss, Sydney Staver provided one of the most important plays of the game as she grabbed an offensive board. Staver was fouled and knocked down both free throws to give MKE an 83-80 lead with 1:43 left.
 
The Jaguars cut it back to one, but Bre Cera calmly sank a pair of free throws with 39 seconds on the clock for another three-point lead. IUPUI made one free throw on its next possession and had a chance to force another OT, but the shot missed with zeros on the clock to send MKE to its 12th straight win.
 
The Panthers finished 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the two overtime periods and owned a 16-14 advantage on the glass.
 
"We had different people step up in so many different moments. Macy McGlone comes in the first half and had some really big plays for us," Rechlicz continued. "I felt like throughout the game so many people stepped up. McKaela Schmelzer, Megan [Walstad], Emma Wittmershaus. To be honest with you, the shining moments go to Bre Cera. It was incredible to watch her as a senior take over on individual plays."
 
Walstad and Cera carried the load for Milwaukee in OT, totaling 12 points, five rebounds, and an assist. Walstad saw minimal playing time in the first half due to foul trouble but responded with her seventh double-double of the season, totaling 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cera totaled 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the win.
 
Wittmershaus played monster minutes for the Panthers, pouring in a career-high 16 points to go with six rebounds.
 
A workhorse all night, Schmelzer totaled 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds in 45 minutes.
 
The Panthers will next return home for a two-game series against Northern Kentucky. Tipoff for game one will be at 6:00 pm on Friday, January 29. Live coverage links can be found on MKEPanthers.com.