After snapping a four-game losing streak, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team lost to the University of Central Michigan, 76-61.

The Chippewas handed the Panthers their sixth loss of the season Nov. 29. The loss puts the Panthers at a dismal 2-6 in overall play.

The Panthers could not find an answer for hot-shooting Chippewa forward Goirdan Watson, who led all scorers with 30 points.

Senior Kevin Messiah and freshman Ryan Thornton led the Panthers, each pouring in 13 points. Thornton kept the Panthers alive with his outside scoring, hitting three three-pointers in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Junior Avery Smith added 11 points and grabbed seven boards off the bench.

"I lost nine scholarship players coming off a championship run. I've got two guys returning from that run last season,” said coach Rob Jeter of his inexperienced team. “The other players are brand-new to this program.”

The second half was entertaining to say the least, containing five ties and seven lead changes.

Leading 57-55 with 4:27 left in the game, the Panthers began to fall apart. Milwaukee managed to score just six points in that final span while the Chippewas notched 21.

“The last 4:27, we went about nine possessions without a field goal and that was the difference in the game," Jeter said.

Despite playing just 10 minutes, Thornton provided the Panthers with the spark they needed to stay in contention. After drilling a three-pointer with 12 minutes left to tie the game, it was moments later that the freshman forward again nailed a three to give the Panthers the lead.

Central Michigan took advantage of the charity stripe, going 25 for 37 from the foul line. Eleven of those points came during the Panthers cold streak in the last five minutes.

The contest saw the Panthers score 39 points off the bench, the most the Panthers have had all season.

"You look at the free throws — they got to the line 13 more times and made a better percentage, that's how you win games," Jeter said.

The Panthers finish up their three-game road trip when they head to Missouri State to take on the Bears Dec. 6.

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