12/19/2020 @ Green Bay | Milwaukee 68 Green Bay 65
Our opening Horizon League games finally arrived as a weekend doubleheader against Green Bay commenced this Saturday. Newcomer coach Will Ryan would host our Pat Baldwin-led Milwaukee Panthers who are a step/second or two away from being undefeated. The Panthers came into these games looking to continue winning and begin building their league resume.
The opening game exhibited an ugly 1st half of basketball. Green Bay and Milwaukee traded turnovers, fouls and a basket here and there, most of which were scored by Amari Davis in the first 10 minutes as he went on a tear during that stretch. The next 10 minutes wore on as neither team seemed to find the hoop and we entered half, 28-27, Milwaukee in the lead.
The 2nd half turned into a prime time Te'Jon Lucas showcase: slashing, dishing, skying for rebounds. Our senior PG can turn the course of a game when he flips the switch like he did Saturday. Slowly the Panthers whittled away at the resolve of our Green Bay hosts. However in the closing minutes, Amari Davis reminded us why he is such a threat in the Horizon and almost single handed willed his own team back from a near double-digit deficit that had been growing all throughout the final 20 minutes.
But Milwaukee wasn't having any of it and with just over a minute left, Te'Jon Lucas nailed a clutch field goal that put an end to Green Bay's late comeback campaign. The game went final: Milwaukee racked up another W, 68-65.
C.J. Wilbourn added a big 13pts and created a much-needed post presence all 19 minutes he was on the floor.
The Panthers were led by Te'Jon Lucas (21pts, 7rbs, 6ast) while Josh Jefferson (21 pts, 5rbs, 5ast) wielded the brunt of Green Bay's attack.
12/20/2020 @ Green Bay | Milwaukee 74 Green Bay 62
Sunday's match would feature a more one-sided affair with a relentless Milwaukee Panther offensive push powered by Dre Gholston (18pts, 10rbs). This is Gholston's first double-double as a Milwaukee Panther; it is unlikely his last.
The early minutes were slow-going as the Panthers and Phoenix ploddingly traded shots (much like the day before) with no clear advantage exhibited by either team. Tied up 35-35 at half, the game was a a relatively close battle up until the final 10 minutes of the second half. Some adjustments were made at half and/or around the 15 minute mark that apparently worked out just as planned. Separation would arrive..
With ~7 minutes in the game, Milwaukee separated on steady buckets by Gholston and the crew. From then on, Green Bay would never get closer than 11pts and the final buzzer sounded with Milwaukee on top again for the the W, but more convincingly this time: 74-62.
Four Panthers reached double figures in scoring: Amir Allen (11pts), DeAndre Gholston (18pts), Josh Thomas (15pts) and Te'Jon Lucas (11pts). Devon Hancock got some more of his first college points in the form of a made three in his only attempt. Tafari Simms scored 4pts. The only player that did not score is Kaleim Taylor- and he chipped in 2rbs and 1ast. This team has a lot of talent to go around and everyone contributes when they get the call.
This team is deep.
Amari Davis led Green Bay with 21pts. Overall, the Panthers seemed to have more energy which probably points again to our depth. I believe this sweep was decided by the benches as Tuori Sports Report pointed out- our bench outscored Green Bay 26-10 on Saturday and 19-5 on Sunday.
And like that, we've won 3 in a row and are 2-0 in conference for the first time since '11-'12. It's about time, huh? 🕑✌
Milwaukee (3-1 (2-0)) will play the next back-to-back series this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday against an equally hot UIC team (5-2 (2-0)). These two teams (along with the usual Horizon leaders of late in Wright State and NKU) may very well make some noise this season. Let's get the UIC-UWM rivalry rocking again in honor of the late Jimmy Collins who will undoubtedly be watching from the other side.
PS: Two questions that I hope we will know the answer to sooner or later:
(1) where is Joey St. Pierre? Did I miss something? It would be nice to have a 7'0" player on our team if only for post defense.
(2) what is the status of Lathon's transfer waiver/appeal? It sounds like the NCAA is still deciding on something? What is left to decide on? I thought the process was, you are either granted a waiver or you aren't, no? It would be nice to have a Jordan Lathon on our team if only for- W.
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