UWM takes control at free-throw line, on the glass to win Horizon League opener

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UW-Milwaukee guard Kentrell Pullian (4) drives to the basket 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.

This was the way to open conference play.

Sparked by huge advantages at the free-throw line and on the glass and another balanced offensive output, UW-Milwaukee downed visiting Cleveland State, 79-67, in the teams’ Horizon Conference lid lifter on Thursday night .at UWM Panther Arena

Kentrell Pullian scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Jamichael Stillwell posted his fifth double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds to help the Panthers (6-4) snap a two-game skid.

Themus Fulks added 16 points and AJ McKee 13 as UWM set new season highs with 28 makes and 37 attempts at the charity stripe (75.7%) while also almost doubling up Cleveland State (4-6) on the boards, 41-24, with 19 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end.

BOX SCORE: UWM 79, Cleveland State 67

A 13-2 run midway through the second half put the Panthers ahead of the Vikings to stay.

“We talked about that before the game,” coach Bart Lundy said, referring to opening Horizon League play with a victory. UWM was picked to win the conference in the preseason poll but has since seen its depth take a big hit due mostly to injuries.

“If you want a chance to win the league, you’ve got to win this one. That is a good and veteran team; those guards are seniors. They’ve played a lot of basketball and they’re physical. It’s a tough one to open up with, but to get this one against Cleveland State is huge.”

Finally cashing in at the line

The Panthers were shooting an icy 62.9% at the free-throw line collectively after going 8 for 14 and 8 for 17 in eight- and one-point road losses their last two times out.

Lundy indicated the team re-dedicated itself to improving at the line coming off the last loss, at Southern Mississippi, and it showed in this one.

UWM drew 26 fouls in all from Cleveland State, fouling…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/uwm-takes-control-free-throw-043921021.html

Author : Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-12-06 04:39:00

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