Milwaukee played Oakland close nearly the entire game Monday night in a home contest against fellow Horizon League team, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, but fell short by a final score of 82-79. Oakland guard Max Hooper had seven three-pointers in the game, one coming at the very end with the shot clock running out. Oakland squeaked out the victory bringing them to 13-8, 5-3 in conference.
The loss dropped Milwaukee to 14-7 overall, 5-3 in conference. The Panthers had a chance at the very end to tie it up, but fell short.
Jordan Johnson was the leading scorer for Milwaukee scoring 20 points with nine assists, one short of a double-double. Austin Arians and J.R. Lyle each contributed 13 points. J.J. Panoske added 10 points and nine boards to the effort.
Unfortunately the Panthers were short handed going into the game, and during the game. Matt Tiby was held to 23 minutes due to foul trouble and Akeem Springs, a usual starter, missed the game due to injury.
“Clearly, our guys played hard,” Milwaukee Coach Rob Jeter said at the end of the game. “I am never disappointed with our effort. We always seem to come out a little sluggish at home and then turn it on and do what we did.”
As for Oakland, Kay Felder finished with 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Jaylen Hayes contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. Max Hooper also ended the night with 21 points and the dagger three-pointer in the final minute.
Last night’s game provided non stop action and entertainment with three ties and 12 lead changes. After Hooper’s three-pointer, Tiby hit a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left which was followed by an Oakland turnover and a Lyle layup putting Milwaukee down three with 22 seconds remaining.
A missed bonus free throw by Oakland gave the Panthers a shot at OT, but Arian’s three was no good and Oakland escaped the pressure. The victory was Oakland’s first-ever victory against the Panthers in Milwaukee.
The game put the top two assisting guards in the NCAA against each other, Felder for Oakland (8.7 APG) and Milwaukee’s Johnson (7.9 APG). The two players combined for 21 assists on the night.
Milwaukee’s next contest is at home, for the third time in seven days, against UWGB at the Panther Arena Friday night (1/29). Tip is set for 7 p.m.