If there was ever a case of a moral victory, this might be it. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team definitely made a statement that they can play with the big boys after falling just short last week to the University of Michigan, 61-57.

Avery Smith led the way for the Panthers with 23 points, but it was not enough to overcome the 26-point performance by Michigan’s Courtney Sims in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Panthers led by four early in the second half and only trailed by four with under a minute to go, but the Wolverines made five free throws to seal the game.

Paige Paulsen added 13 points and seven rebounds while Kevin Messiah had 10 points and seven boards for the Panthers, who fell to 1-3 on the season.

Dion Harris had 17 points for Michigan, which improved to 3-0 on the season, but it was Sims who stumped Milwaukee.

The Panthers recovered from a very slow start after the Wolverines scored the first eight points of the game. Milwaukee answered, scoring 10 of the next 12 points to tie the score five minutes into the game.

After Michigan pushed the lead back to four at 25-21, the Panthers held the Wolverines scoreless for the final four minutes of the half. Milwaukee took advantage as Paulsen and Smith hit two threes right before halftime to give the Panthers a 27-25 lead heading into the break.

Another three by Paulsen with 16:38 to play gave the Panthers a 34-29 lead, but Michigan countered with the next 12 points to take a 41-34 lead.

The young Panthers hung tough though as Smith hit two free throws to cut the lead to 43-42 and then hit another basket to stay within two at 49-47.

However, the Wolverines turned to their main man Sims, as he scored 10 straight points to give Michigan a 61-54 lead with 2:27 left.

Smith hit another three with 47.3 left, but the Panthers would not get any closer in a game which showed the potential of this young Milwaukee team.

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