As many suspected the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers have struggled a little at the beginning of the season, but they have stepped up to a little more than expected over the campus winter break.

The men’s basketball team has shown some power and potential in the six games they played over break.

The team’s first two games finished up its out of conference play with a loss to Sam Houston State, 73-89, followed up by a solid win down the stretch against a strong Wyoming team, 75-73.

As the Horizon League play started the Panthers looked to be doomed as their first game came against then nationally ranked No. 15 Butler, but the Black and Gold had a chance as they held a lead most of the game against a solid Bulldog squad.

Avery Smith, who scored 21 points, and Paige Paulsen, who added 17 points, showed their leadership on the floor, holding the Bulldogs to just 34 percent shooting and forced nine ties in the second half. In the end Butler showed the Panthers why they were ranked in the top 25 as they pulled ahead down the stretch, 55-50.

"You have to give credit where credit is due. Butler's discipline, their ability to stay focused on both ends of the floor, I thought was the difference down the stretch,” said UWM head coach Rob Jeter. “Turnovers and free throws — too many turnovers for us and not being able to connect enough on the free throw line — was the difference. You've got to make free throws and you've got to take care of the basketball if you want to win games when you play like this."

Taking the experience of a loss down the stretch to Butler, the Panthers used all they had in an overtime shocker when Ryan Thornton stunned Detroit with a three-pointer to force overtime with under two seconds left. UWM would claim the victory 65-64 in a tight overtime.

Looking to get to .500 in Horizon League play, the Panthers traveled the short drive to Loyola to play the pre-season predicted champion Ramblers. The Panthers, who had just finished a game two nights before, saw why the Ramblers were picked to finish first in the league.

Loyola shot 65.3 percent in the game as J.R. Blount scored 20 points. Avery Smith scored a solid 15 points but was taken out of the game due to foul trouble. Loyola earned the win in a 74-87 decision as UWM fell to 1-3 in the Horizon League.

Their next match would prove to be the easiest as the Panthers faced Cleveland State, who had been winless in the Horizon League. With Charlie Swiggett sidelined due to a torn ACL, Jeter would look to his bench for some support.

The sixth starting line-up this season would prove to be too much for the Raiders, as the Panthers earned their second Horizon League win.

Wrapping up their road streak the Panthers faced Youngstown State. The Penguins proved to be too much for the Panthers as Quin Humphrey scored 22 points and led four other players into double figures. The Panthers would fall, 81-63.

The Panthers travel to Detroit on Jan. 25 and then come home for a big game on the Jan. 27 against the UW-Green Bay in a nationally televised game on ESPN at 1 p.m.

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