Game #29 – Milwaukee 87, Cleveland State 83
Player of the Game - Tony Meier was simply spectacular Thursday night. He scored a collegiate-best 28 points, making 9-of-14 from the field overall, including 4-8 on three-pointers. He also hit the free throw that finally clinched the win for Milwaukee. Plus, Meier added eight rebounds in 33 minutes.
Turning Point - Milwaukee needed all of the points it scored in its great start. The Panthers jumped to leads of 24-11, 30-15 and 34-17 in the first half. So, even though Milwaukee had to hang on late, it was the first 10 minutes of the game that won the evening for the Panthers.
Stat That Mattered - UWM was efficient on offense when it didn’t turn it over, making 27-of-47 from the floor for a 57.4 percent shooting clip. But perhaps just as important was that, while Milwaukee had 15 turnovers, none came in the final 4:30 of the game.
The Notebook - UWM has now won eight-straight league games, its longest regular season league winning streak since 2003-04 … the Panthers have also won four-straight league road games and are 5-3 on the road in the league this season … Milwaukee is one win away from its fourth Horizon League regular season title, having previously won them in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 … Rob Jeter collected his 99th career win … UWM is now 7-2 in games decided by five points or less this season … the Panthers are 12-1 when leading at the half …they are also 12-1 when shooting at least 45 percent from the field … Tony Meier’s 28 points marked a collegiate-high … it was Meier’s fifth 20-point performance of the season … Anthony Hill scored 16 points while playing just 17 minutes because of foul trouble … he actually fouled out with over five minutes remaining in the game … Ryan Allen returned to the rotation after missing the Buffalo game because of injury … his seven rebounds were a collegiate high … Kaylon Williams now has 159 assists this season, 30 away from the single-season school record.
Up Next - UWM wraps up the regular season Saturday afternoon at Youngstown State.
