The Panthers closed out 2024 at home at the Klotsche Center with a victory over IU-Indianapolis 88-81. Milwaukee had a late start in scoring but were able to secure the win and now stand 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the Horizon League. Their six-game home win streak to begin the year was extended to seven with the win.
“This one was extremely important because we go on the road for 3 straight,” said Bart Lundy. “We had to defend our home going into this stretch”.
Free throws made a huge impact on the win after a pushed back start against the veteran team, with IU-Indy being 5-10 and 1-3 in Horizon League. The Panthers made 11 of 12 free throws in the final seconds of the game to improve and head into the next few games being on the road. Free throws have been a huge factor and the team continues to make adjustments to improve their free throw game.
“Coach tells us to make 50 before we leave practice,” said senior guard Themus Fulks. “Repetition and everyone just locking in and taking the time to realize these free throws can win games and lose games for us”.
In the first half, Jamichael Stillwell grabbed 6 rebounds and Erik Pratt scored a team-high 9 points and 3 assists. Themus Fulks had 6 points and 3 assists and Kentrell Pullian added five.
IU-Indy turned the ball over just twice compared to Milwaukee’s 6; IU had 24 in the paint shots over the Panthers 20. A back and forth close scoring game, they were tied 35-35 at halftime.
The return of Pratt
Pratt made his return recently and has been putting up numbers since. Pratt made his first appearance back against Green Bay putting up 12 points, 14 points against Akron and had 4-5 showing from behind the three-point line, and didn’t miss a shot in the first half. Pratt also scored a season high of 20 points.
Leading into the last home game, Pratt joined the action and was able to put up 11 points and played a big role in helping the Panthers catch up after IU Indy’s early lead.
Jamichael Stillwell recently broke the school record in rebounds putting up 19; the record was previously held by Nathan Schrameyer in 1995. Stillwell continues to make history and was named Panther of the week by holding new school records with his fifth straight double double.
Stillwell finished out the game with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Kentrell Pullian had a big night with being able to up 20 points, four rebounds as well as three assists to help Milwaukee improve. Themus Fulks had a tremendous game with scoring a career high of 26 points.
“We feel like we’re the best team in the conference,” said Fulks. “We feel that we are one of the top teams in the nation but it doesn’t matter what we feel, we have to prove it every single night”.
IU Indy shot 47.6 % on field goals, Mke shot 53.8% and a tie for in the paint shots for both with 44.
The Panthers head into 2025 on the road against Oakland on Thursday at 6pm.