Avery Smith put up an incredible 36-point game Saturday against the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies, but the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers lost, 76-70.

The Golden Grizzlies (5-4) hit seven of eight free throws in the final minute to clinch a victory over the Panthers (2-7).

Smith was hotter than a pistol in the loss, scoring 10 straight points during one run. UWM went down by 10 going into halftime because of a Grizzly 13-point run to end the half.

To start the second half, the Panthers stayed down by 10 points.

Coming back from the 10-point deficit to tie the game was easier than it seemed. The Panthers scored eight unanswered points to go down by two.

Smith followed that up by tallying back-to-back three pointers to tie the game at 51, with 9 minutes 57 seconds left.

Forcing three ties down the stretch, the Panthers looked as if they could pull away and grab their third win. Smith hit a lay-up to tie the game for the last time, but the Grizzlies hit a jumper and a three-pointer to seal the six-point win and hand the Panthers their seventh loss.

The Panthers next game is at Missouri State on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on WOKY (920AM).

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