Dec. 10, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Keston Roberts scored 21 points and Youngstown State fought off a furious rally by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to claim a 68-65 win Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers overcame a 13-point deficit in a five-minute span of the second half, taking a 61-60 lead with 3:02 remaining. But, after Youngstown State reclaimed the lead, Paige Paulsen missed the tying free throw with just over two seconds remaining and the Penguins added a pair of free throws for the final margin.

Paulsen led Milwaukee (2-9, 0-1) with 16 points and nine rebounds and was one of four Panthers in double figures. But UWM shot just 33.8 percent from the field and made only 7-of-31 from three-point range.

Allan Hanson added 14 points for the Panthers, who have lost five-straight games. Kevin Massiah and Avery Smith each pitched-in with 11 apiece.

Quin Humphrey added 14 and Byron Davis 12 for Youngstown State (4-6, 1-1), which has won its last two contests.

UWM's rally started after a John Barber jumper gave the Penguins a 58-45 lead with 8:27 remaining. Roman Gentry got the run going with a three and another three by Smith brought the Panthers to within 60-57 with 4:34 remaining. Layups by Paulsen and Massiah then gave Milwaukee the lead and set the stage for a tight final three minutes.

A single free throw by Humphrey gave the Penguins a five-point lead with 43 seconds left, but a free throw and jumper by Massiah brought UWM to within 66-64 with eight seconds remaining. The Panthers then forced a pair of jump balls, taking over the alternate possession on the second tie-up. Off the inbounds play, Paulsen got loose under the basket and was hacked going up. He dropped in the first free throw before the second bounced away, and Davis made two free throws on the other end to seal the win.

"We waited for about 37 minutes to start playing basketball and that's just not good enough," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "We just didn't come out and play inspired basketball in front of our fans and that's just not going to get it done against any opponent."

Neither team could gain control of the contest in the first half, with the Penguins slowed by seven turnovers and the Panthers stymied by 30.4 percent shooting from the field.

YSU ran out to a 14-11 lead and extended it to 19-15 on a three-pointer by Davis. The Panthers struck back, though, scoring nine-straight points to claim the advantage. A basket by Massiah made it 20-19 before back-to-back baskets by Sam Mauldin extended the edge to 24-19.

The Penguins countered with six-straight points for a 25-24 lead, but a pair of three-pointers by Hanson and a basket by Massiah gave the Panthers a 32-30 lead at the half.

Youngstown State then started quickly in the second half, jumping to a 42-34 lead just three minutes in before eventually pushing the lead into double digits.

UWM returns to action Wednesday night, making the trip to Madison for a battle with nationally-ranked Wisconsin. The game tips off at 7 p.m. CST and will be televised statewide.