Saturday“s match-up at the Klotsche Center between the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay was a clash of streaks.

The visiting women Phoenix, ranked 24 in the AP poll, was riding a 15-game winning streak. The host Panthers, meanwhile, had a 12-game home winning streak of their own to protect. Something had to give.

Reigning Horizon League Player of the Year Nicole Soulis made sure it wasn“t her team, as she scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in leading UW-GB (19-3, 10-0 in Horizon League) to a 72-63 victory over UWM (11-12, 7-3). The loss dropped the Panthers into a tie for third place in the Horizon League standings.

Traci Edwards, whom many consider to be the frontrunner for this year“s POY status, led the way for the Panthers once again with a game-high 31 points and 16 rebounds. It was her 10th double-double of the year.

UWM head coach Sandy Botham was very proud of the team“s effort, citing the progress they“ve made this year.

“We were poised, we played with confidence, and we executed. It just came down to shots, and we didn“t hit ours at the end,” she said.

While the Panthers saw their home winning streak come to an end, the Phoenix extended their overall winning streak to 16 games, one shy of the team record.

UW-GB head coach Kevin Borseth said they aren“t thinking about the record. They are taking it one game at a time, one play at a time. He did, however, give UWM credit for not making things easy for his team.

“Milwaukee put up such a good fight, it really prevented us from playing our best. They played really well,” he said.

Aubrey Hampton“s three-point basket with 11 minutes 30 seconds left in the second half gave the Panthers a one-point lead. But Erin Templin countered with a three of her own to regain the lead for the Phoenix.

Consecutive baskets by Lavesa Glover and Amanda Popp gave Green Bay a 55-49 lead, and they never looked back.

The Panthers tried their best to claw back into the game, cutting the deficit to one with four minutes remaining. But Natalie Berglin“s three-point basket with two minutes to go made the score 62-56 in favor of the Phoenix, all but ending the Panther“s hopes.

The Panthers dominated the glass all day with a 46-to-21 advantage on the boards. They received key contributions from Turquoise McCain and Jody Crumble, who each grabbed eight boards.

Turnovers were a big problem for the Panthers, with the team committing 25 for the game. That led to 28 points off turnovers for the Phoenix.

That being said, Botham still finds positives from every game. Today, as has been the story much of the year, she continued her praise of Edward“s play.

“Traci“s been so consistent for us. She just continues to get better,” she said.

The Panthers“ next game is Thursday at Cleveland State, with a game time of 6 p.m. The game can be heard in Milwaukee on 920 AM (WOKY).

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