Boxscore (pdf)
Postgame Comments
MILWAUKEE (November 20, 2015) – Cody Wichmann scored a career-high 17 points, hitting all five of his three-point field goal attempts, to lead Milwaukee (4-1) to an 85-61 victory over Trinity International (5-3) in its 2015-16 home opener tonight at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Dating back to last season, the Panthers have won seven of their last eight games at home.
"Trinity International is a well-coached team and they did a nice job against us tonight. This was the type of game we needed to remind us to stay disciplined," Milwaukee head coach
Rob Jeter said. "I'm proud of my team. We've played in three different time zones in eight days and I was concerned that our legs would be a little wobbly. It was good to see 23 assists and I like that in long stretches this year we have played to our identity."
The visiting Trojans gave the Panthers all they could handle in the first half. A three-pointer by Sean Smith put Trinity International on top, 26-24, with 4:48 remaining in the half, but Milwaukee closed the period by scoring 17 unanswered points, nine of which came courtesy of a trio of Wichmann treys, to take a 41-26 lead at the break.
Trinity International closed within 11 points on a pair of occasions in the second half, the last coming when Zach Kirschbaum's layup made it 51-40, but Milwaukee used another big run, this one a 19-5 spurt that blew the game wide open, to take a commanding 70-45 lead with a little under nine minutes left to play. The Panthers lead would grow to as many as 32 points (85-53).
All 14 Panthers who dressed for the game saw action in the contest and 11 of them scored at least two points. Wichmann led the way with a career-best 17 points in only 13 minutes, surpassing his previous personal best of 15 points set last season versus Youngstown State.
Matt Tiby added 14 points and 13 rebounds for his third double-double already this year, while
Austin Arians pitched in 11 points and
J.J. Panoske added 10 points and eight boards.
James Glass and Thomas Amrine tallied 12 points each to pace Trinity International, which came into the game averaging 91.6 points per game and was held 30 points below its season average.
Milwaukee opens play at the Gulf Coat Showcase in Estero, Fla., November 23 when it takes on perennial Ohio Valley Conference contender Murray State at 11 a.m. Central.