Late heartbreak: UWM turns the ball over, then allows game-winner in loss at Southern Miss

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UW-Milwaukee guard Themus Fulks (1) passes the ball against Wofford in the first half of a Cream City Challenge game Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Opening Horizon League play on the heels of a tremendously disappointing loss isn’t ideal.

But that’s the scenario the UW-Milwaukee Panthers now face after dropping an eminently winnable game at Southern Mississippi, 66-65, on Saturday afternoon.

UWM led for nearly 36 of the game’s 40 minutes but fell apart when it mattered most – first turning the ball over with a one-point lead and the shot clock winding down, and then giving up an unmolested drive and layup with 3.6 seconds remaining that ultimately decided the game.

The Panthers outshot the Golden Eagles, 50% to 39.7%, but did themselves in once again with poor free-throw shooting (8 for 17, 47.1%) and inexcusable sloppiness with the basketball (17 turnovers leading to 16 points).

Themus Fulks led four players in double figures with 17 points for the Panthers (5-4), who next host Cleveland State on Thursday.

Not a great final minute for the Panthers

Even though Jamichael Stillwell split a pair of free throws with 1 minute 42 seconds left, the Panthers were still in pretty good shape with a 65-61 lead.

They then turned the Golden Eagles over, but AJ McKee missed a shot at the other end.

That led to a three-pointer from the right wing by Denijay Harris, who proved to be a thorn in UWM’s side all day with 24 points and eight rebounds. His make with 38.9 seconds remaining made it a 65-64 game.

The Panthers worked the clock on their ensuing possession but as time ran short the best they could manage was a drive to the basket by John Lovelace Jr., who was whistled for traveling.

Southern Mississippi (3-4) immediately inbounded to Neftali Alvarez and the point guard dribbled three-quarters of the floor without giving up the ball. He capped his foray by dribbling his way down the left side of the lane and scoring with 3.6 seconds…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/heartbreak-uwm-turns-ball-over-223750684.html

Author : Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-11-30 22:37:00

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