FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne rallied for 19 straight points in the fourth quarter to stun the Milwaukee women's basketball team 72-62 on Saturday afternoon.
  
The Panthers (6-10, 4-4 Horizon League) hit its first two shots of the fourth quarter to go up 11, but missed its next 13 attempts as Purdue Fort Wayne (6-12, 3-5 Horizon League) stormed back with a 19-0 run over 8:16 of game time.

 "They went to zone and we started taking jump shots. We started taking jumper shots when we were tied and that can't be the case," head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "It has to be a situation where we get paint touches. Where we get the ball inside and grind it out. It's learning for us – an opportunity for us learn how to play together a little better."
 
Kendall Nead knocked down a jumper to end the drought and pull the Panthers within six, but with under a minute play, it was too late for Milwaukee as the Mastodons sealed it from the free throw line.
 
Megan Walstad did all she could for the Panthers, pouring in a career-high 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting. The senior added nine rebounds and three assists.
 
Early on, Milwaukee spread the ball with seven different players contributing points in the first half led by Walstad's 15 on 7-for-8 shooting.
 
The Panthers racked up 14 assists on 17 field goals and finished 5-for-9 from three-point range as they ran out to a 41-33 advantage.
 
It was an impressive offensive showing from MKE, who finished 17-for-31 (54.8 percent) from the floor and 5-for-9 (55.6 percent) from deep in the first half.
 
The offense struggled some in the third shooting just 31.3 percent, but still edged out the Mastodons 15-14 in the quarter before a detrimental fourth.
 
Walstad opened the final frame with a jumper and Peppler knocked down a shot on the next trip, but then the drought set in.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne made the most of its opportunities, going 6-for-9 from the floor and 12-for-15 from the free throw line in the fourth to seal it.
 
Emma Wittmershaus joined Walstad in double digits with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting to go with five rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
 
One game after dishing out a career-high seven assists, Peppler topped that with eight against PFW. She added nine points in the setback.
 
The Panthers return home next weekend beginning with Robert Morris on Friday, January 20 at 11:00 am for the annual School Day game.
 
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