Women's Basketball: Second-Half Comeback Falls Short in 76-66 Loss to Milwaukee

    Milwaukee, Wis. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half only to see an impressive comeback attempt fall short in a 76-66 loss to Milwaukee Thursday evening at the Klotsche Center.

    The Penguins fall to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the Horizon League while the Panthers improve to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the league.

    Junior Tiara Scott led the Penguins with 22 points, including 14 in the second half, and senior Lauren Branson posted 17 points with five assists and three steals to lead the Penguins.

    The Penguins trailed 50-33 with at the 14:51 mark but used an 18-2 run over the next five minutes to get within one point, 52-51 at the nine minute mark.

    Branson ignited the run with a 3-pointer and two free throws which were followed by a triple and a jumper by Velissa Vaughn to cut the deficit to 52-44.

    Junior Kelsey Gurganus hit her first 3-pointer of the season to bring the Guins with five, 52-47, and two baskets by Scott cut the Panthers' lead to one, 52-51.

    Aubri Rote's 3-pointer at the 8:14 mark, UWM's first basket in six minutes, extended the lead back to four points, and jumper by Meredith Onson and a 3-pointer by Traci Edwards ballooned the Panthers' lead to nine, 60-51.

    Gurganus drained another 3-pointer with two minutes left to get the Guins back within seven, 71-64, but UWM was able to hold off the comeback.

    In the first half, the Penguins shot just 31.3 percent while the Panthers connected on 46.7 percent from the field and 78.6 (11-of-14) from the free throw line.

    The Panthers jumped out to an 11-6 advantage before a 3-pointer by Branson brought the Penguins within two. Two free throw by Milwaukee's Traci Edwards and a bucket by Aubri Rote gave the Panthers a 15-9 cushion but Branson's second 3-pointer of the half cut the deficit back to two, 14-12, with 14 minutes left.

    The Penguins, however, hit just five of their next 21 field-goal attempts and trailed 36-24 at the intermission.

      The Guins continue it road trip at Green Bay on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. (EDT) at the Kress Center in Green Bay, Wis.