#MUWBB Falls 64-55 to Milwaukee in Home Opener

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's basketball team fell 64-55 in its home opener to Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon at the Al McGuire Center.

Camryn Taylor scored a career-high 27 points and Lauren Van Kleunen joined her in double figures with 10. Chloe Marotta also tied a career-best with 12 rebounds.

"Obviously we're very disappointed in the outcome today," Coach Duffy said. "Give Milwaukee a lot of credit as they played a hard, physical game. On the other hand, we missed some shots and turned the ball over too much and that impacted us on the defensive end as well."

After leading 4-3 in the opening minutes, MU went into a scoring drought that led to a 14-4 run for the Panthers to close the first quarter. The Golden Eagles hit just two of their 12 shots in the second quarter and went into the halftime break trailing 30-12.

MU cut the MKE lead to 13 points at the end of the third quarter after senior guard Selena Lott broke out for seven points in the first few minutes of the half. Led by Camryn Taylor's 18-point fourth quarter, MU was able to storm back and trim the Panthers lead to just five points late in the game.

The Panthers were able to salt the game away at the free throw line, however, making all 12 of their fourth quarter foul shots. They made 16-of-19 (84.2%) from the charity stripe for the game.

"I just think we weren't focused enough," Taylor said. "We were off our reads in the second quarter especially and we fell into a big hole. We got some stops and hit some big shots in the second half, but unfortunately it wasn't enough."

McKaela Schmelzer led MKE with 15 points while Megan Walstad had 14 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Sydney Staver also reached double figures with 12 points.

UP NEXT:
Marquette is scheduled to begin BIG EAST play against Providence at 2 p.m. Central time on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Al McGuire Center. The BIG EAST Digital Network will provide television coverage.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).