Boxscore (pdf)
Postgame Comments

MILWAUKEE (January 31, 2015) – Akeem Springs matched a career high with 21 points and was one of four players to score in double figures in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's (9-14, 4-5 Horizon) 78-74 victory over Detroit (11-13, 4-5 Horizon) this afternoon at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Milwaukee, which turned the ball over just nine times on the day, has now won four straight games at home.
 
"These guys have battled and persevered and I like how we are coming together," Milwaukee Head Coach Rob Jeter said. "We hit some big shots. The guys have stuck together and are playing good basketball. I'm really proud of them."
 
Matt Tiby, who scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half, fueled Milwaukee's fast start by scoring 10 of his team's first 15 points as the Panthers raced out to a 15-4 lead. Milwaukee led by as many of 12 points (18-6) in the opening 20 minutes, but after a sluggish start, Paris Bass helped the Titans get back into the game by pouring in seven points during a 12-4 surge that cut the Panthers' lead to 22-18.
 
Milwaukee, which held Detroit's leading scorer Juwan Howard, Jr., scoreless in the opening period, would build its lead back to eight points late in the half, but Detroit closed out the half with six unanswered points to get within 35-33 at intermission. The teams combined to shoot 29 free throws in the opening period, with the Panthers draining 15 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe.
 
Howard, Jr., got heated up in the second half and his three-pointer with 14:53 to go gave Detroit its largest lead of the game at 47-42. But, Milwaukee responded back and after a bucket by Steve McWhorter, Justin Jordan and Cody Wichmann knocked down back-to-back threes for a 50-47 UWM lead.
 
After the Titans drew even at 52, Springs book-ended a decisive 15-5 Milwaukee run with three-pointers as the hosts took a 67-57 lead. Detroit wouldn't go down without a fight though and a 10-2 spurt cut the Panthers' lead down to 69-67 with a shade under two minutes to play.
 
A big three from Wichmann, his third of the day, extended the Milwaukee lead to 72-67 and the Panthers were able to hit 6 of 10 shots from the charity stripe down the stretch to hang on for the victory.
 
Springs equaled a career high with 21 points and added eight rebounds and four assists to lead Milwaukee.
 
"Different matchups allow me to do different things on offense, but my scoring is really just my teammates finding me and us sharing the ball," Springs said.
 
McWhorter added 16 points, six assists and a half dozen steals, while Tiby (16 points) extended his streak of games with 10 or more points to 14. Jordan added 14 points and four assists.
 
Howard, Jr. scored 21 points, all of which came in the second half, to lead Detroit.
 
The Panthers are back in action on February 5 when they make the short trek north to face Horizon League leader Green Bay at 7 p.m.