ROCHESTER, Mich. – A tough start to the afternoon led to an early hole the Milwaukee men's basketball team could not dig out of, falling by a final score of 86-65 to Oakland Sunday afternoon at the O'rena.
 
The Panthers (5-11, 3-4 Horizon League) were hurt right out of the gates by mistakes, allowing the Golden Grizzlies (11-4, 5-0 Horizon League) to turn early turnovers into fast points in building a quick 20-9 advantage barely six minutes into the action.
 
"Our last two games, we have put ourselves in a big hole by not taking care of the basketball and valuing possessions and we have to do a better job of that," head coach Pat Baldwin said. "We have to get that toughness and be better."
 
Josh Thomas put up a strong showing offensively, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. DeAndre Gholston chipped in a solid outing of 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
 
Donovan Newby gave MKE three in double-figures with 11, including a 6-for-6 effort from the free-throw line, while Vin Baker Jr. added eight points and seven rebounds.
 
"I think we are getting the effort from our guys, it's just the production that we are looking for," Baldwin said. "It's tough to play three games in five nights and the two teams we played – they didn't. There's a little bit of fatigue that sets in. I don't care who you are, that makes a difference when it comes to your play."
 
OU had five different players in double-figures, led by 19 from Micah Parrish. Jalen Moore added a double-double of 15 points and 14 assists.
 
Facing an unbeaten league foe was challenging enough, but Milwaukee compounded the day by allowing seven turnovers to get converted to 10 quick points over the first eight minutes of the contest to dig a whole that proved very tough to get out of against the Grizz.
 
The margin grew to 39-22 on a three-pointer with just under eight to play in the first half and sat at 47-32 at intermission.
 
Looking for a way to start a comeback, the Panthers got a dunk from Joey St. Pierre on the first possession of the second half. That was quickly thwarted, however, with an 11-1 run extending the lead to 58-35 and essentially putting the game away early.
 
MKE did shoot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) overall and grabbed the 32-30 rebounding edge, but the Golden Grizzlies finished the contest with a 21-4 advantage in points off turnovers and came up with 12 steals.
 
Up next, Milwaukee returns home Thursday, set to host UIC at Panther Arena, with tip off set for 7 p.m.