Boxscore (pdf) Postgame Comments
MILWAUKEE (November 17, 2014) – Steve McWhorter equaled a career high by pouring in 17 points and was one of four Panthers to score in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1-1) rolled to a 75-54 victory over Minnesota-Crookston (0-3) tonight at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Panthers, playing their first game of the season at the newly named facility, committed only six turnovers on the night en route to winning their home opener for the 14th time in the last 15 years.
"It was good to be back home," Milwaukee Head Coach Rob Jeter said. "Tonight was a challenge for us against a different style of play from what we saw Friday at Auburn."
Both teams shot the ball well from long distance in the first half, but struggled to find much accuracy from inside the arc. Milwaukee trailed by three with nine minutes left in the opening period before three consecutive three-pointers, one by McWhorter and two from Cody Wichmann, gave the Panthers a 21-15 lead.
When McWhorter drained a pair of foul shots at the 3:55 mark of the period, it ignited a game-changing 25-5 run that spanned two halves and was punctuated by a J.R. Lyle layup that extended the Milwaukee lead to 48-25 early in the second half.
During that stretch, the Panthers held Minnesota-Crookston scoreless for the first 6:13 of the second half before a layup by Tim Lubke broke the Golden Eagles' drought.
McWhorter scored 10 of his game-high 17 points in the first half and wound up also pitching in seven rebounds and three assists, while not committing a turnover, on the night.
"I let the game come to me and was able to knock down some shots tonight," McWhorter said.
Matt Tiby added 12 points and seven rebounds, while J.J. Panoske and Wichmann pitched in 10 points apiece for the Panthers who saw 11 players score in the game.
Minnesota-Crookston, which is coached by former Panther Dan Weisse, was led by Tyler West, who tallied nine points and eight rebounds.
Milwaukee gets little time to rest however as it hosts IUPUI Wednesday night in a game that will be televised live locally on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Fans attending the game will receive a replica 2014 Horizon League Championship banner.
