The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team kicked off its regular season in style Friday night, defeating Radford 72-60 in the John Thompson Foundation Classic at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Despite getting off to a slow start — the Panthers missed their first 11 shots — UWM was able to recover quickly thanks to the stellar play of junior forward Paige Paulsen.

Paulsen recorded his first double-double of the year, leading the Panthers in scoring with 27 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Paulsen, who had to sit out due to transfer rules last season, said he’s starting to get comfortable out on the floor.

“It takes time to get back. I mean, I haven’t played in over a year, but I feel like I’m starting to get my rhythm back,” Paulsen said.

Paulsen didn’t do it all on his own, however, as Avery Smith chipped in a collegiate-high 12 points. Alan Hanson also recorded 12 points and grabbed six rebounds.

UWM head coach Rob Jeter acknowledged that while the team is young, he was still pleased with their effort.

“It’s a positive start. This team is going to have to weather the ups and downs, but the execution is getting better,” he said.

UWM (1-0) forced Radford (0-1) into 24 turnovers and out-rebounded the Highlanders 37-28. Game No. 2 in the round robin tournament Saturday night saw the Panthers take on Tony Bennett and the Washington State Cougars.

While the Panthers again came out on top in the turnover battle, it was about the only statistical advantage they gained as Washington State won by a commanding score of 74-54.

UWM (1-1) shot just 28 percent from the field for the game, and 24 percent from three-point range, hitting only 6 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc.

Jeter made no excuses in his assessment of the game.

“It’s tough to win when you shoot 28 percent from the field. They played good defense and they contested shots,” he said.

Washington State (2-0) was able to capitalize on the team’s size early and often, shooting a blistering 60 percent from the field.

The Cougars were led by senior forward Ivory Clark, who scored 20 points, connecting on 10 of 14 shots.

“I just wanted to go out there and shoot a high percentage, and get off some good shots,” Clark said.

The Panthers’ Ricky Franklin was the lone player to score in double figures for Milwaukee, putting up 13 points, all in the first half. Despite being held scoreless in the second half, he didn’t feel it was necessarily anything Washington State did that held him in check.

“They switched a longer player on me in the second half, but I think it was more of just me not hitting my shots. I was just off in the second half,” he said.

Bennett talked about the early season success the Cougars have had, particularly on defense.

“Defense is a staple of our program. I think I’d have some tough questions to face if it wasn’t, particularly from the guy who coached here before me. But defense gives this team a chance to be competitive,” he said.

The guy Bennett is talking about coaching before him is his father, Dick Bennett, the former University of Wisconsin head basketball coach.

The Panthers’ final game of the John Thompson Classic took place Sunday night against the University of Alabama Birmingham. Results were not available as of press time.

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