Cleveland St. 78, UWM 61: Panthers Win Streak Ends at Two

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The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers’ aggression worked against them Friday night as the Cleveland State Vikings beat the Panthers 78-61 and end their two-game winning streak.

Top Players

Guard Tre Gomillion took over the game for the Vikings scoring 20 points. Torrey Patton also played great for the Vikings scoring 11 points, seven from the free-throw line, and grabbing seven rebounds.

Vikings gurad Tre Gomillion taking a free-throw, photo courtesy of John J Ward

Two bright spots for the Panthers were center Joey St. Pierre and Guard Jordan Lathon. Lathon scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers. Lathon also managed to grab four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Joey St. Pierre led the Panthers in scoring with 12 points making all five of his shots also recording three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Struggling Star, Struggling Team

The Panther’s main offensive star DeAndre Gholston struggled this game posting only six points on 2-for-12 shooting. Another poor night shooting for Gholston which has been a trend lately as he has not been able to shoot above 40% in his last five games.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this year with the Vikings, first-place in the Horizon League, winning both matchups. The biggest story for the Panthers in this game was their aggression. The Panthers played a tough physical defense which led to their demise as they committed 21 personal fouls and allowed the Vikings to take 30 free throws, making 24.

The Panthers were also physical on offense scoring four quick points in the paint causing the Cleveland State Vikings coach Dennis Gates to rethink his game plan.

“I thought their physicality was unbelievable and that’s what made me change our defensive game plan.” Cleveland State Vikings coach Gates said. “We were going into this game ready to play man-to-man and they made us switch that right away.”

Effort Down Low

The Panthers scored 22 of their 61 points in the paint, six of these points coming within the first five minutes allowing the Panthers to jump to an early lead. However, after the Vikings changed their game plan, they took the lead about halfway through the first half and the Panthers were never able to get it back. 

The biggest deficit for the Panthers was rebounding as the Panthers’ aggression seemed to stop at the basket. The Panthers were outrebounded 39-23 giving the Vikings a plus-16 advantage. 

Panthers center Joey St. Pierre grabbing a defensive rebound, photo courtesy of John J Ward

“They had 12 offensive rebounds, I thought we could have been better in that area.” UW-Milwaukee Panthers coach Pat Baldwin said. “And then for us on the offensive area we weren’t just going, and I thought that’s where the disparity really took off.” It seemed the Panthers’ effort stopped near the glass. An inability to grab rebounds and consistently fouling the Vikings ultimately led to their defeat.

Current Standings

For the Vikings, this win kept them at first place in the Horizon League (14-4, 18-7), with only three games left this season.

As for the Panthers, this loss has them sitting in ninth place in the Horizon League (7-12, 9-19), and with only three games left the Panthers will be trying to make up some ground in the conference before the Horizon League Tournament starts.

What’s Next

The Panthers will have a chance to get back in the win column on Feb. 20, when they take on Purdue-Fort Wayne.