After a long nerve wrecking game, the Colonials tied 72-72 with 10 seconds remaining. A missed shot by Isaiah Dorceus left fans at the edge of their seats wondering if this game would head into overtime.
Seth Hubbard came to save the day after a last-second tip-in with 0.2 seconds remaining, leaving the Panthers victorious 74-72 in the league opener.
“My mind was just ‘crash,’ because that’s what I’m taught to do in practice,” said Seth Hubbard. I just saw the ball, and I knew I had to get it up somehow, so I’m gonna just tip it in and God kinda took it from there.”
The Milwaukee Panthers have had a rough up and down start to their first eight games of the season. A combination of home court advantage, back to back losses on the road and injuries have made this season for the boys nothing less than interesting.
The boys are currently sitting at 4-5, (1-0 Horizon League). The Panthers welcomed Robert Morris for their first conference game. The last meet up between the two teams ended in the Colonials favor after beating the Panthers 72-59.
The first half was a back and forth shoot out, the Colonials were able to keep Milwaukee on their toes the entire game. The first half ended with Robert Morris in the lead over the Panthers 41-34 with a 13-7 scoring run over Milwaukee.
Defense was a big factor in the second half for the Panthers. Robert Morris was in a bit of foul trouble which also helped Milwaukee out, the Panthers went 20-28 in free throws.
Seth Hubbard led the night in points with a high of 21 points and five rebounds. Isaiah Dorceus ended in double digits as well with 11 points, also adding in three rebounds and five assists.
“Aaron Franklin came in the game, I thought his energy, his intensity and his communication really changed us defensively,” Said Head Coach Bart Lundy. “I know he scored some baskets but it was what he did defensively and on the glass that really changed the game.”
Aaron Franklin secured 12 points off the bench along with six rebounds in his 20 minute appearance.
DeSean Goode of Robert Morris led the team with 26 points and 8 rebounds.
It was a thrilling ending to say the least for the Panthers, despite their 38% overall shooting compared to the Colonials’ 41%. Robert Morris also edged them out slightly in rebounds, 38 to 36.
The Colonials also dominated in the paint with 36 points over Milwaukee’s 26, the Panthers still found a way to deliver a clutch, hard-fought win to cap off the night.
“We showed the best grit that we’ve had all year in the second half,” said Lundy. “We finally had a week of practice here where we could really focus on the things we had learned over this tough road stretch, and had enough healthy bodies to actually do that.”
The Panthers are back at home this week, welcoming Indiana State at the Panther Arena on Sunday, Dec.14 at 1 p.m.