ROCHESTER, Mich. – Milwaukee women's basketball fell on the road to Oakland by a 66-45 score on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Golden Grizzlies controlled much of the game, shooting better than 43 percent over the first three quarters while building up a 52-27 advantage. Oakland also finished the game with the edge in rebounding (44-30), and assists (11-8).
 
"Oakland clearly wanted the game more than we did, and you saw that from the start," said head coach Kyle Rechlicz. "We did not handle their pressure and physicality well enough to compete today. This is definitely a learning opportunity for our young team."
 
Milwaukee was held to 16-of-54 shooting from the field and 5-of-21 from three-point range. Seventeen Panther turnovers led to 15 Oakland points, as the Grizzlies were paced by both Filippa Goula and Makenzie Luehring with 17 points apiece.
 
Luerhring was a rebound shy of a double-double and was tied with Angie Smith for the Oakland lead with four assists.
 
Kendall Barnes finished the game with a Milwaukee-best 10 points to go along with four rebounds, while Payton Rechlicz had eight points, including a pair of three pointers.
 
"Kendall and Payton gave us a huge lift both offensively and defensively," added Rechlicz. "Unfortunately, it was an off game for a few other players that we rely on. We will feel this one for the rest of today and get back to work on Monday to prepare for a very tough Northern Kentucky team."
 
The Golden Grizzlies got off to a torrid start, scoring nine unanswered to open the game. The Panthers responded and briefly took a 12-11 lead on a Madison Fitzgibbon layup before Oakland regained the advantage on its next possession.
 
The home team led by as many as 20 in the first half and carried an 18-point lead into halftime. Oakland extended its margin by 25 heading into the fourth quarter, where Milwaukee outscored the Grizzlies, 18-14, but not enough to mount a comeback.
 
Milwaukee will close its three-game road trip on Wednesday evening at Truist Arena in Highland Heights, Ky. taking on Northern Kentucky at 5:00 p.m. (CT).