DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – BJ Freeman scored a team-high 20 points and the Milwaukee men's basketball team got off to a fast start, only to see Stetson spoil the effort in claiming the victory Monday afternoon at the Ocean Center in game one of the "Sunshine Slam".
 
The Panthers (2-3) jumped out to a quick start right from the tip, but the Hatters (2-2) dug out from an early 12-point deficit and grabbed a lead at the break. Milwaukee pushed back numerous times in the second half and cut it to nine on a pair of occasions but could get no closer in the 85-67 decision.
 
"We've got to play much harder and much grittier," head coach Bart Lundy said. "We were playing well in the first half and we came off the bench with subs and fell apart a bit. Give Stetson credit. They have a veteran team that is really good and makes you pay offensively."
 
Freeman tied his career-best with six made 3-pointers on his way to the 20-point afternoon, adding five rebounds and three assists. Erik Pratt joined him in double-figures, finishing with 10 points.
 
Aubin Gateretse put together a big game for Stetson, scoring a game-high 26 points (12-13 FG) while adding a double-double with 11 rebounds. Jalen Blackmon added 22.
 
"We obviously didn't shoot the ball very well today – I thought we had open shots – but we can't base who we are on whether we make shots or not and right now that's our issue," Lundy said. "We had great shots; we just didn't make any of them."
 
The MKE offense raced out of the gates, scoring 14 consecutive points after the Hatters tallied the first basket. Freeman hit a three to make it 7-2 and just a few minutes later sank another triple to extend the lead to 14-2 and force a Stetson timeout.
 
From that point Stetson pushed back, eventually pulling ahead for the first time at 17-16 before building a lead of 39-22 on a banked-in three with 4:24 remaining in the first. Eight straight was the answer from the Panthers, seeing a Pratt 3 cut the lead down to 39-30 before Stetson took the 43-30 lead at the break.
 
Milwaukee had numerous second-half pushes, but could never get over the hump, getting back to within nine on a layup from Zach Howell at the 11:04 mark that made it 57-48. Stetson would keep the advantage at double-figures the remainder of the contest.
 
Up next, the Panthers will play in the consolation contest tomorrow, taking on Siena at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Ocean Center.