The Milwaukee Panthers (2-8) fell 82-58 to Rhode Island (8-3) Monday night. The Panthers’ starters combined for just 37 total points.
DeAndre Gholston led the Panthers, scoring 16 points (5-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-7 FT) and grabbing seven rebounds in 35 minutes. It was his seventh game scoring in double digits this season. Freshman Donovan Newby was impressive off the bench, scoring 12 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT) in 21 minutes. Also, Josh Thomas finished top three in scoring off the bench for the Panthers, notching nine points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT)
Freshman star Patrick Baldwin Jr. struggled this game, with two quick fouls causing him to sit out for a large portion of the first half. He finished with just six points (1-8 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and a pair of steals.
For the Rams, Jeremy Sheppard led the scoring with 25 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT) and added eight rebounds. Makhi Mitchel notched a double-double with 16 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and 10 rebounds. In addition, Makhel Mitchell scored nine points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT).
A big story in this game was the penalties, with both teams committing 45 fouls combined and two players fouling out in the game. The Panther’s Joey St. Pierre fouled out early in the second half and Makhel Mitchell fouled out late in the second half for the Rams.
Panthers Head Coach Patrick Baldwin talked about how St. Pierre’s early exit hurt the team.
“It did because he’s a starting center, he’s big, he’s physical and rebounds the ball pretty well,” said Coach Baldwin. “I think he had four at the time 16 minutes. It hurt because if you’re trying to do anything as far as pressuring and having protection at the rim he’s not in there.”
St. Pierre missing for a majority of the game helped both Mitchell’s play well. St. Pierre already had a block, a steal, and four rebounds. However, without him playing down low, it took out the Panther’s only experienced big man.
In addition to the fouls, the rebounds were a big story with the Rams out rebounding the Panthers 40-25. St Pierre’s absence also hurt the Panthers in terms of rebounding in the second half, as he leads the Panthers with 6.1 rebounds per game.
After the Rams took a 10-0 lead to start, the Panthers were able to go on a seven-point run to cut the lead to three. However, the Rams slowly pulled away, leading by 13 at the end of the half. Although the Panthers were able to force one more turnover, they only scored nine points off turnovers while the Rams scored 12.
The Panthers also only scored two second chance points and 18 points in the paint. The inability to score off turnovers, attack team in the paint and convert second chance points ultimately crippled the Panthers in this game.
One highlight for the Panthers was the bench scoring 21 points. With players able to score off the bench, the Panthers could possibly start to generate more offense moving forward in the season. The Panthers will look to get back on track Thursday Dec. 23 against St Xavier (IL).