MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee women's basketball wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season at home on Saturday afternoon, falling to IU Indy in overtime, 80-77.
 
The Panthers used a big third quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 21-7, to erase a 36-27 halftime deficit. However, IU Indy was able to force overtime with a game-high 25 points in the fourth while holding Milwaukee to 20 to send the game to the extra session.
 
In overtime, the lead changed hands on four occasions, but ultimately IU Indy hung on late for the victory, paced by five points from Sydney Bolden.
 
Bolden was one of four players to finish the game in double figures for the Jaguars, who were led by a 20-point, eight-rebound effort by Destini Craig. Olivia Smith scored 11 points and Hailey Smith added 10.
 
Milwaukee was led by Sophia Rampulla with 18 points for the Panthers, while Grace Lomen, who was celebrated postgame as part of the program's Senior Day festivities, finished just one point shy of the team lead with 17. Jorey Buwalda added 10 points and a team-best nine rebounds.
 
IU Indy controlled play through the first half, connecting on 14-of-27 from the field (51.9 percent) and adding 7-of-10 from the free throw line. The Jaguars led 17-11 after the first quarter and 36-27 at halftime while holding Milwaukee to just 35.7 percent from the field and 2-for-10 from three-point range.
 
The Panthers responded in a big way in the third quarter, opening the period with nine unanswered to tie the score at 36 on makes by four different players. Milwaukee's offense continued to surge and continued its 19-2 run to open the half and take a 46-38 lead.
 
Up 48-43 after three periods of play, the Panthers were able to hold the advantage until the final three minutes of regulation, when the teams went shot-for-shot down the stretch. With Milwaukee trailing by three, Payton Rechlicz knocked down a three-pointer from the left elbow in the waning seconds to tie the score at 68 at the end of regulation.
 
Milwaukee scored the first three points of overtime, before IU Indy leveled the score at 75 with 1:28 remaining. IU Indy took a two-possession lead on a basket by H. Smith in the paint with 13.1 seconds left. A foul sent Lomen to the line, where she made both free throws with 2.9 second on the clock.
 
A foul less than a second later sent Bolden to the line, where she made the first of two free throws to make it an 80-77. The second attempt was missed, and Milwaukee was able to corral the rebound, but was unable to get a shot off as the Jaguars erased an eight-point second-half deficit to win by three in overtime.
 
Rampulla's 18 points marked a career high. Rita Gomes scored 12 points, while Jada Williams added eight.
 
Milwaukee has a quick turnaround, playing again on Monday. The Panthers will begin its trek through the Barbasol Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship against the No. 11 Detroit Mercy Titans in the Play-In Round at 7:00 p.m.