Who would have thought that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team could have turned around their sub-par season to sit in third place in the Horizon League after 3-7 start? The fans and Panthers head coach Rob Jeter acknowledges the hard road it took to get here.

“We have to say thanks for people coming and showing support,” said Jeter when explaining why they make a loop around the arena to shake fans’ hands after each home game. “It’s easy to not show your support, and there is a group of fans that have stuck with these guys and we want to show our support and appreciation.”

Panther faithful had another reason to stick by UWM (11-8, 6-3 Horizon) Thursday night as Milwaukee took over sole position of third place with a 76-69 win over Youngstown St. (7-12, 3-6 Horizon).

When asked about the after game routine senior Paige Paulsen said, “I like it. It shows the fans we appreciate the support. We have a great group of fans who have stuck with us and we need the support.”

Paulsen knocked down 24 points and nine rebounds, playing all 40 minutes of the game showing just how committed and versatile he is while the team chemistry is at an all-time high.

“When we’re on the court whatever five guys it is, it’s five guys working together and it’s given us good results,” said Paulsen. “Once you start coming together as a team it becomes more fun, not just the wins but becoming more of a team.”

Marcus Skinner earned a career-high double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Deonte Roberts notched 12 points while Ricky Franklin and Deion James both brought home 10 points each.

The Panthers never trailed in the game, leading by as much as 16 in the first half, with 2:40 left, and 14 in the second. Penguins head coach Jerry Slocum was given a technical foul after Roberts was fouled while shooting, ending in a four-point play for the Panthers who led by 11 at half, 42-31.

Senior Byron Davis led Youngstown with 22 points, hitting eight straight points at the start of the second half to cut the Panther lead to seven with 15:46 left.

It’s not that the Penguins didn’t have chances, they would get even closer at the end of the second half after a three-pointer by Vytas Sulskis cut the lead down to just three with 6:14 left to play. Sulskis ended the night with 15 points and seven boards.

“[Allowing] three points and then three turnover and two missed layups, you’re not going to beat a team with the chemistry that Milwaukee has playing like that,” said Penguins head coach Jerry Slocum when asked about being so close but not being able to close the three point gap.

UWM shot free throws to victory, hitting 5-of-8 in the final 0:56 to seal their eighth win in nine games.

The Panthers will travel to Detroit for their last game in January on the 31st before starting the last month of the regular season with an away game at Wright St on Feb. 2.

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