Panthers down Norse, 61-55

The leader of the Milwaukee Panthers secured the W

This afternoon we saw the Milwaukee Panthers put together a complete game, and they got the W to show for the effort. Down as many as 18 early in the second half, DeAndre Gholston took over the game offensively, Milwaukee D locked down the goal, and the Panthers willed themselves to a well-deserved 61-55 victory over the Northern Kentucky Norse.

Handicapped without Baldwin Jr (unknown), Kane (unknown) and Browning (fractured hand) yet again, Milwaukee was unfazed by both NKU (who had beaten the PBS-led Panthers 10 straight games prior) and the fact we are in the midst of a long conference road trip and coming off a game that we really should have won.

Joey St. Pierre (5pts, 7reb) continued to be our main post presence and was a reliable force in the paint. Vin Baker Jr. (14pts, 3reb) had his best game as a Panther, getting Milwaukee started early in the game and setting the pace for what led to a late-game charge and victory. Props to VBJ where props are due. Arguably no other Panther has gotten as much criticism this and last season as Vin. Our expectations are high for everyone. Hopefully this is the start of a new, more assertive VBJ that will help us win conference.

Milwaukee slowly and steadily scored enough to eclipse KNU and win late

FG, 3PT, FT

42.6% 35.0% 70.0%

29.4% 28.6% 50.0%

 

Panther shooting on Saturday afternoon was good from the field and even from the perimeter. We shot 52% from the field in second half; 6-12 from 3pt.

Northern Kentucky actually outrebounded Milwaukee 43-39 and had 10 more of the offensive, second chance-producing type. The Norse' Chris Brandon racked up 16 rebounds while Vinson (18pts, 6reb) and Warrick (13pts, 5rbs) led Northern's offensive attack. But NKU's star scorer Trevon Faulkner was held to just 8 points.

The TL;DR; tale of the game is that Milwaukee held the Norse' shooting to 18% (6 for 32) in the second half and DeAndre Gholston flipped the HYPERDRIVE switch and scored all 14 of his points in the final 8 minutes and 30 seconds (including 4 triples).

We are a favorite to win at Green Bay; I think we are a favorite to win every remaining game if we are at full strength

The rest was a smooth coast to victory. First one of those we've had in a while outside of the St. Xavier tune-up.

Milwaukee knew the Norse would try to shoot a lot from the outside with drive and kicks and prepared accordingly. The Panthers staunch defense limited Northern Kentucky in their shooting on a bad shooting night for them. Panthers Newby (8pts, 3ast, 3stl), Lathon (8pts, 7reb, 5ast), and St. Pierre led a balanced supporting Panther attack that won the day and gets us a game closer to reversing our sinking season.

Next stop on this road trip is Green Bay to pay our northern neighbors a visit, this coming Wednesday night at 7pm. Be there at the Resch Center to cheer on your Milwaukee Panthers as they march back from a rocky start or tune in on ESPN+. We've been knocking and knocking on the door of greatness and it might finally be time to step in. Let's hope the wins start pouring in like we've cracked open the Hoover Dam.

One game at a time; we'll get there.

go panthers

press on.