MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Youngstown State used a 15-0 run in the third quarter and the Milwaukee women's basketball team could not complete the comeback as the Panthers fell 60-56 on Saturday afternoon.
 
"We are calling them quarter killers," head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "You look at our losses and we've had a number of those. You have one quarter where you aren't playing well and good teams take advantage of that."
 
Milwaukee (9-12, 8-6 Horizon League) controlled most of the first half and built a seven-point lead on a McKaela Schmelzer with 8:08 left in the third quarter, but then the drought hit.
 
The Panthers did not score again until Emma Wittmershaus knocked down a jumper with 41 seconds on the clock and meanwhile, Youngstown State (19-4, 13-3 Horizon League) rattled off a 15-0 run to pull in front 46-41 after 30 minutes of play.
 
MKE continued to battle and a layup from Megan Walstad got the Panthers within one at 49-48 but YSU took advantage of a turnover and got its lead back to four.
 
The lead reached six before Miquela Santoro hit a free throw and Sydney Staver knocked down a jumper with under a minute to play, but YSU went 6-for-6 from the line in the final minute to seal the win.
 
Walstad got it going for the Panthers in the first half, going 6-for-10 with 13 points to carry the load.
 
Jada Donaldson was also a nice spark off the bench for Milwaukee, totaling eight points including a pair of three-pointers.
 
Walstad finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds as well as three blocks.
 
Wittmershaus added three blocks along with five points, six rebounds, and two steals.
 
Staver also reached double figures as she scored 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
 
Milwaukee will now head up to Green Bay to take on the Phoenix on Monday, February 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
 
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