If the first game is any indication, it could be quite a season for the UW-Parkside women’s basketball team.

Jadee Rooney beat the buzzer with a jumper in the lane as the Rangers edged NCAA Division-1 UW-Milwaukee, 56-55, in an exhibition game Sunday afternoon at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee.

Trailing 55-54 with five seconds left, Parkside drew up the game-winning play for Rooney out of a timeout. The sophomore guard came off a ball screen and knocked down a floater as the clock expired.

“There are so many things you’re able to see by playing a good Division-1 team,” said Parkside coach Jenny Kenesie, who returns all five starters from last year’s 18-10 squad. “It shows a lot of character to come out in a clutch situation with a victory.”

Parkside’s Brittany Hogen finished with a game-high 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Rooney had 11 points and five assists. Brittany Beyer had eight points and seven rebounds. Amanda Gibson tallied seven points and six assists. Amy Selk grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Rangers trailed 32-28 at halftime. Parkside shot 39 percent (26-of-62), while the Panthers shot 36 percent (14-of-39).

“There was definitely some good and some bad, like any first game,” Kenesie said. “Coming out with a victory on the road, I can’t complain.”

UW-Milwaukee’s Lindsay Laur finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Parkside plays at NCAA Division-1 UW-Green Bay in an exhibition game at noon Saturday.

Compiled by Jeffrey Zampanti and Mike Larsen