Milwaukee, Wis. -- UW-Milwaukee shot 53.8 percent in the first half and outscored Youngstown State 28-9 to close the first half en route to a 60-44 victory on Thursday evening at the Klotsche Center.

Youngstown State falls to 4-12 overall and 2-4 in the Horizon League while the Panthers improve to 8-10 overall and 4-1 in the league.

Youngstown State jumped out to a 6-3 lead after Ashley Pendleton's 3-point play at the 14:28 mark of the first half.

The Panthers scored five straight to take an 8-6 advantage but YSU regained the lead, 10-8, after jumpers by Nikita LaFleur and Jessica Schloemp at the 10:56 mark.

UWM scored 19 of the next 23 points to take an insurmountable 13-point lead, 27-14, at the 4:53 mark.

The Penguins shot just 22.6 percent for the game and 26.1 percent from the field in the first half.

The Penguins visit UW-Green Bay, Saturday, at 4 p.m.