KENOSHA, Wis. — The Michigan Tech women's basketball team received 44 points from its bench, but it wasn't enough in a 75-69 season-opening loss at Wisconsin-Parkside tonight. The host Rangers capitalized on 48 percent field goal shooting and a 38-27 rebounding edge to gain the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge win.

Tech used an improbable five-point possession at the 1:46 mark to tie the game at 67-67. A foul was called away from the ball as Katie Zimmerman sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Danae Danen made good on the free throws as result of the foul. On the next trip down the floor, UWP's Allison Smaglik drained a 3-pointer and helped UWP regain the momentum.

Catherine Rottier had a look at a triple with 32 seconds remaining that could have tied the game at 70, but it missed. The Rangers were able to make five-of-six free throws in the final :28 to gain the victory.

"I'm proud of the way we battled and played hard," said Michigan Tech skipper John Barnes. "We gave up too many easy shots, and we need to work on our defense."

UWP shot 48.1 percent from the field including 50 percent from behind the 3-point arc. The Rangers also cashed in on 17-of-22 free throws. Tech went 44.8 percent from the field and 9-of-14 from the charity stripe.

The first half saw an abundance of fouls called. Tech was whistled for 13 in the opening 20 minutes including two each on starters Wysocky, Schneider, and Widman.

UWP built up a 27-18 lead at the 4:52 mark before freshman Lucy Dernovsek's three-pointer kicked off a 10-3 Huskies' run that left the score, 30-28. Tech had a chance to tie the game under a minute, but a turnover and 3-pointer by Kayla Ming made it a 36-31 advantage for the hosts at the intermission.

Danen and fellow sophomore Katie Wysocky tied for team-high scoring honors with 16 points apiece. Zimmerman added 15 on five 3-pointers. Freshmen Angela Guisfredi and Lucy Dernovsek turned in solid games off the bench with five and seven points, respectively.

Michigan Tech (0-1) will return to action in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge tomorrow vs. Lewis. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. (ET).