MILWAUKEE -- In an I-94 matchup at Milwaukee, the Wisconsin women's basketball team dropped a 79-67 decision to the Panthers on Wednesday night.

Poor second-half shooting hurt the Badgers despite Wisconsin shooting a season high 50% (28-56) from the field for the game.

UW shot 66.7% (18-27) in the first half but managed just 34.5% (10-29) from the field in the second half and just 2-2 from the free-throw line.

Milwaukee shot 53.6% (30-56) from the field for the game and 14-18 from the free-throw line, including 13-17 in the second half.
 
Both teams had at least a six-point lead in the first half but the score was even at 42 at the half.  Julie Pospisilova (12 points) and Sydney Hilliard (11) had double-figure points in the first half while Sara Stapleton added nine tallies. Hilliard shot a perfect 5-5 from the field in the first half and would stay perfect throughout the game by adding one more bucket and finishing 6-6 from field goal range for 13 points. Pospisilova led the team with 19 points as only two Badgers scored in double figures. Stapleton finished with her nine points as the post got into foul trouble in the second half. Katie Nelson and Brooke Schramek both contributed seven points

Milwaukee had four players score 10-or-more points behind a game-high 21 points from Megan Walstad.
 
Milwaukee outscored the Badgers 19-9 in the third period to lead 61-51 after three quarters. Despite a near-even fourth quarter, the Badgers couldn't come back from their 10-point deficit. Pospisilova tried to sparked the Badgers with her seven fourth quarter points but late fouls, which allowed Milwaukee to score from the free throw line in the second half.

Milwaukee edged the Badgers 28-27 in rebounds as Hilliard led UW with six boards.  Pospisilova led Wisconsin with five assists as the Badgers had 13 assists but turned the ball over a season-high 17 times. Milwaukee scored 23 points off UW giveaways and outscored Wisconsin 20-11 on second-chance points.

Notes to know

• Junior Sydney Hilley continues her high percentage shooting, hitting 6-6 from the field.
• The Badgers recorded a season-high 17 turnovers as Milwaukee tallied an opponent season-high eight steals.
• Wisconsin shot a season-high 50% (28-56) from field goal range, including 66.7% (18-27) in the first half.

Up next

Wisconsin heads to Boulder, Colorado, to play two games in the Rocky Mountain Hoops Classic this weekend. The Badgers tip off against Boise State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., streamed on Pac-12.com. On Sunday, UW faces Colorado at 1 p.m. and fans can watch on the PAC-12 Networks.