The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s basketball team fell to 3-5 on the season after losing a tough game to cross town rival Marquette on Wednesday at the Klotsche Center, 74-63.

Marquette controlled the game from the opening tip and never looked back. Milwaukee’s last lead came with 14 minutes left in the first half.

There were some positives coming out of the game though. The Panthers had four players in double figures, led by sophomore Traci Edwards, who had 19 points and seven rebounds.

Coach Sandy Botham said she thought balanced scoring is going to be key for the Panthers to have a successful season.

“I think a balanced attack is going to be the most important thing this year,” she said. “After losing the scorers we had last year, people are going to have to step up and give us a balanced attack.”

She also said she liked the way they played and thinks it will do nothing but help come conference play.

“We gave them a run for their money, we just missed some shots that usually go down for us, we feel good the way we played and its defiantly a game we can build from.”

Not only was it a game the Panthers can build upon, but their non-conference schedule is one of the toughest they have had in recent years.

“We have played the best of the best in their respective conferences,” Botham said. “Road games against South Florida, Miami, Drake, all of those games will help us become a better basketball team.”

The Panthers had a tough time executing their zone defense against Marquette, allowing them to shoot 6-18 from three-point range, including a 4-7 performance from Danielle Kamm.

“You’re going to get more looks from outside when the other team is in a zone and they were in a zone tonight,” Botham said. “I just happened to be open and hit the shots.”

Marquette guard Krystal Ellis led the team in scoring with 19 points. UWM gave it a run in the second half with a balanced attack of Turquoise McCain, Meredith Onson and Emily Markert, who had 13, 12 and 10 points respectively.

They closed the gap to five, but Marquette had an answer every time.

“We’re going to give our players some time to recharge their batteries and hopefully we can come back full strength,” Botham said.

The Panthers continue their season on Thursday, Dec. 7, in the Klotsche Center against Air Force.

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