UWM Men’s Basketball Honors Seniors

Milwaukee- The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team honored senior Vance Johnson and graduate student Jake Wright, during “Senior Night” at the UWM Panther Arena on March 2.

Escorted by their parents, both players were welcomed at center court by Panther’s Head Coach Pat Baldwin, and UWM Athletic Director Amanda Braun, who presented the players with customized framed photographs of each in game action. A crowd of just over 2,000 roared with Panther Pride as a video tribute to Johnson and Wright was displayed on the Jumbo Tron just before tipoff.

The Panthers, losers of 10 of straight games, faced a tough matchup with first-placed Wright State Raiders. Johnson was ready for to make a statement in his final collegiate game.

“A win tonight would mean everything to me, being as though we’ve been on a 10-game losing streak and to snap it and go out on top would be special. It would mean a lot to me, especially to beat them (Wright State),” said Johnson.

At tip-off, the raucous crowd energized the young Panthers, but the excitement seemed to be a little too much for UWM, which started 0-5 from the field. The Panthers would finally score on a smooth driving lay-up from junior guard, Bobby Arthur-Williams, almost five minutes into the game.

Despite the down season, Jake Wright found himself sitting at 997 career points before entering his final game. Wright State sure seemed to be aware and were determined to keep Wright from reaching the 1,000-point milestone. The sharpshooter saw double-teams and bumps at the three-point line almost the entire night and struggled to get shots off against the Raiders ferocious defense.

The Panthers headed into halftime down 25-21, with Wright only getting off two shots, missing both. Coach Baldwin thought nerves and Wright’s determination to hit 1,000 points may have a played a role in his struggles.

“I think in his pursuit for a 1,000 points, not that he selfish, I just think that was on his mind. You know, let me get this three points out of the way quickly. I think he put a lot of pressure on himself that way,” said Baldwin.

UWM struggled early in the second half as Wright State took a commanding 52-38 lead with 11:38 left in the game, but the Panthers refused to go down without a fight.

Led by Junior guard Bryce Barnes and Johnson, the Panthers were able to cut into Wright State’s lead bringing the Panthers within eight, at 52-44. Then the magic happened. On a beautiful give and go assist from Barnes, Wright knocked down a smooth corner three solidifying his place in the record books, bringing the entire arena to their feet. 

With crowd re-energized, the Panthers roared back. With 5:50 left in the game, Johnson hit two free throws and Wright State’s lead was down to just four, at 54-50. An emphatic Wright belted out to his teammates.

“Let’s go! Everything you got right here!” 

With just 3:25 left in the game and in what one may perceive to be “storybook fashion,” the two seniors took over. Led by a beautiful baseline steal and layup from Wright, the Panthers cut the Raiders lead to just one point at 57-56.

From there, the crowd was all invited to the Vance Johnson show. Playing with a sense of skilled urgency, the senior big man put his body on the line drawing a charge on the defensive end just  before hitting a sweet mid-range jump shot, giving the Panthers their first lead since the 10:36 mark in the first half.

The UWM Panther Arena exploded with joyous cheers and the rejuvenated Panthers seemed destined to finish their final home game on top, but Wright State would prove to be too much.

Milwaukee found themselves down by 63-62 when Barnes committed two costly turnovers within the final sixteen seconds of the contest. Yet, the Panthers still had hope. Down by three with four seconds left in the game, Johnson heaved a half-court shot hitting the left side of the backboard, sending the ball out of bounds. The season was over.

Johnson, with tears in his eyes immediately covered his face and wept at half court before being swarmed by Coach Baldwin and his teammates.

After the game each player walked through the crowd, shaking hands, taking photographs and thanking fans for their support during the season. Although the season did not end the way he pictured, Johnson was able to reflect on what senior night meant to him.

“Just how far I’ve come in the game, maturing all four years, playing, being healthy.” 

After the loss, Wright too reflected on his brief, but valuable time with UWM and Coach Baldwin.

“It meant a lot, I’ve never had coach and a program that gave me the kind of opportunities that I’ve had here. I’ll forever be thankful for that. Coach Baldwin, I can only say great things about him,” said Wright.

During his post-game press conference Coach Baldwin had nothing but words of praise for his players, especially his two seniors. 

“My first thoughts are with our seniors, Vance and Jake have done an exceptional job from the time that they stepped on campus, representing Milwaukee the right way. I’m so proud to say I’ve had the opportunity to coach them, I’ll miss those two guys because they were vital to what we’re trying to do here.”

Although the game may have not ended in story book fashion, the Panther’s played with grit and determination throughout the entire game. Wright believes that it’s that kind of passion that Coach Baldwin brings his players and the coaches success is inevitable.

“It’s not if they’re going to be successful here, it’s when. I’m proud that I could be a part of this program. I’m looking forward to coming back when they have success and knowing that I was there at the beginning and helped get that thing going.”