CHICAGO, Ill. –  The Milwaukee women's basketball team defense flexed its muscles on Friday afternoon, holding UIC to 25.0 percent from the floor and recording a season-high 12 steals in a 58-35 win in Chicago. Brandi Bisping led the offense as she recorded her fifth double-double of the year with a season-high 23 points and 11 rebounds.
 
With the victory, Milwaukee (17-6, 14-5 Horizon League) earned its 14th Horizon League victory, matching a program record.
 
Miquela Santoro stuffed the stat sheet for Milwaukee, totaling seven points, two rebounds, five assists, and a career-high six steals.
 
"That was awesome for her to have six steals in the game," head coach Kyle Rechlicz commented. "She was really reading the passing lanes great. I thought our gap defense was the best it's been in a long time. I thought we really got back to where we were at the beginning of the year from a defensive standpoint."
 
It was all Bisping to get the Panthers going in the first as she totaled eight points and four rebounds, helping Milwaukee jump out to the early lead.
 
"Brandi Bisping was amazing tonight in every which way," Rechlicz continued. "She controlled the offensive side and even the defensive side of the floor. She was making really great decisions. It was really nice to see her confidence go up from the three-point line."
 
Defense stood tall in the second as the Panthers held UIC (3-14, 1-12 Horizon League) without a basket for the first 5:26 to build a 12-point advantage. Milwaukee recorded seven steals in the half and forced 12 Flames' turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
 
Meanwhile, the offense was clicking as Milwaukee shot 54.5 percent in the second and maintained the double-digit lead at 27-17 through one half of play.
 
The Panthers defense continued to swarm in the third, holding UIC another 6:18 without a point. MKE continued to roll offensively and doubled up the Flames 38-19 with 3:14 remaining in the third.
 
Bisping added another and-one and Macy McGlone came off the bench to hit a jumper as the Panthers continued to keep their distance, taking a 44-26 advantage into the final frame.
 
Milwaukee quickly shut down any chance of a UIC comeback as the Panthers again held UIC without a field goal for the first six minutes of action. In the fourth.
 
The Panthers dominated the rebounding column 41-19 led by Bisping's 11. Milwaukee also took care of business in the paint, outscoring the Flames 28-14 inside.
 
The Panthers and Flames return to Credit Union 1 Arena for the regular season finale tomorrow at 2:00 pm. Live coverage links can be found on MKEPanthers.com.