The first half of this game featured another slow start by the Panthers. Things remained discombobulated for only about 5 minutes however, and then our Panthers got to work. Northern Kentucky's defense was suffocating and Milwaukee struggled to find a way to work through it.
But eventually, find a way we did.
Milwaukee (20-14, 12-8) found itself down by 14 around the middle of the first half and then started to play up-tempo and attack, attack, attack the glass (we outrebounded them 50-28). Faizon Fields (emerging as a fan favorite Panther)- pulled down 16 rebounds. 16(!).
Some insanely awesome passing started to put the Norse on their heels (never knew we could actually run offense and distribute the ball like this). BJ Freeman (27pts) was predictably double and tripled teamed and couldn't make his mark until late in the 1st half.
Going into the break down only 7 at half was a blessing, all of these things considered. (we did not play that well and NKU is a very good team).
As there always is in sports though, there was a shift in momentum. Things got really amped up in the second half for Milwaukee. Blocks and dunks would lead the way to one of the more memorable performances by a Panther team.
We eclipsed the NKU lead and continued to build our own lead up until the end. Northern Kentucky tried to stage a late comeback like Detroit in the 1st round but it was too little and too late. We won 82-75 and now advance to the HLT Championship versus the Oakland Grizzlies (22-11, 15-5).
Your Milwaukee Panthers are now in the Horizon League Tourney Championship. 🏆
The last time we were there, it was 2017 and LaVall Jordan was our coach. We went 11-24 (4-14) that season 😳 but had a Cinderella run to the HLT Championship (and lost, to NKU).
This is a new program and a new era. There are hundreds of Panther fans who made the trek to Indianapolis (I can't get away from family responsibilities; I'll be tuned in from my Panther cave along with many thousands of Panthers who are dormant until the team catches fire...🔥🚒).
The Panthers in Indy are going to be loud as heck at Farmers Coliseum and this team will feed off that energy.
Things have lined up almost perfectly for a Panther Big Dance ticket after a frustrating first half of our season. The HLT trophy is there for the taking and this team is ready to completely dismantle CSU and punch that ticket. 🎫
I have never been more certain of a Panther victory. This is our time; been long time since our first round loss to Villanova in 2014.
LFG, Milwaukee Panther Nation.
go panthers.
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