The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team lost a hard-fought battle on Saturday night to Loyola, 73-68.

Senior transfer Torre Johnson led the Panthers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Marcus Skinner also had a double-double, scoring 10 and grabbing 10 rebounds. Paige Paulsen also added 17 points. The conference loss now puts the team’s record at 3-6 overall and 0-2 in the Horizon League Conference.

The Panthers thought they had the game won when Marcus Skinner nailed two free throws with 19.4 seconds to play to put the Panthers up 56-52. Loyola managed to sink two free throws with 11.2 seconds and then they got the ball back when junior guard Ricky Franklin was called for an offensive foul.

Loyola’s J.R. Blount launched a three with the clock ticking down and it missed, but Tracy Robinson tipped it in with 0.7 seconds left on the clock to force overtime.

In extra time, Loyola pulled away for the victory, going 4-5 from the field. The Panthers helped the Ramblers by committing 24 fouls, compared to Loyola’s 14. The Ramblers took advantage of UWM fouls by sinking 22 free throws.

The Panthers next game will be this Wednesday against in-state rival Wisconsin. The game starts at 7 p.m and will be played at the U.S. Cellular Arena in downtown Milwaukee.

Wisconsin will be a challenge for the Panthers, being ranked 23rd in the nation in the last ESPN/USA Today Poll. UWM needs all the support it can get from the fans. Tickets are still available and they are free for all UWM students. Students can pick up tickets in advance at the ticket office located in the Klotsche Center.

> Comments