MILWAUKEE – Vin Baker Jr. tied his career high with 16 points and Justin Thomas was on triple-double watch as the Milwaukee men's basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit in earning a thrilling 80-77 victory over Oakland in overtime Saturday night at UWM Panther Arena.
 
"A lot of credit to Oakland – they had a great game plan coming in," head coach Bart Lundy said. "They really make you play ugly offensively. Their zone was different than I had ever seen it – what they did to prepare specifically for us and for BJ (Freeman) in particular. We got in that hole and we kept plugging and kept fighting. It was a complete team effort. They didn't quit. They just kept plugging away."
 
The Panthers (18-8, 12-4 Horizon League) never gave up despite trailing the Golden Grizzlies (11-16, 9-7 Horizon League) for the overwhelming majority of the evening and were still behind by 11 with 10 minutes to go with the scoreboard reading 68-57.
 
In fact, Milwaukee only led on two occasions all evening. A quick 2-0 advantage to open the contest and then not again until BJ Freeman connected on the final made field goal of the night – a three-pointer with 2:22 remining in overtime that made the score 80-77 and held up the rest of the way. The defense came through, holding Oakland without a point the final 4:09 of the evening.
 
Baker Jr. was instrumental in the victory, coming up with a career-night in the absence of Markeith Browning II (foot injury). Baker scored his 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, adding a 4-for-5 effort from the free throw line, six rebounds, and a pair of blocks. The second block was one for the highlight reels, rejecting a dunk attempt that turned into a fastbreak opportunity the other way that pulled MKE within a point at 72-71. Baker topped his previous season-best of eight points and also played a season-best 24 minutes.
 
"I can't say enough about Vin (Baker)," Lundy said. "The character he has shown not just tonight, but throughout the season, what he has meant to this team. We can say it on the stat sheet now, but there's been a lot of times it didn't show up on the stat sheet. He has shown tremendous character. I couldn't be more proud of who he is and he deserves this."
 
The 14-point comeback marks the fifth victory this season for the Panthers in games they trailed by at least eight points. More importantly, the turnaround continues: exactly one year ago today, the Panthers were 8-18 overall. Fast-forward 12 months and Milwaukee is 18-8 and just a half-game out of first place.
 
Thomas was playing at a high level on both ends of the court, playing solid defense on OU's Jalen Moore (17.7 ppg coming in) while stuffing the stat sheet with 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
 
"I thought Justin Thomas was awesome – especially in the second half," Lundy added. "Both sides of the ball, guarding Jalen Moore, not fouling."
 
Ahmad Rand enjoyed a solid evening, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, adding a variety of impressive slam dunks to the night – including an alley-oop from Thomas at the 1:30 mark of regulation that finally brought the Panthers all the way back to a tie game at 75-75.
 
Freeman did navigate his way to 15 points and eight boards, despite a tough night from the field.
 
Oakland did have four in double-figures as well (and only played six players), seeing Trey Townsend lead the way with 21.
 
Down 11 at the midway point of the second half, Freeman hit a three to start the final push. Baker had a layup and then, following a make by Oakland, converted a three-point play to pull MKE within six at 70-64.
 
Back and forth a bit from there, the Panthers finally fought back to even on Rand's dunk at 75-75. The defense was huge, holding the Grizzlies without a single point the final 4:56 of regulation as well.
 
The team finished at 50.8 percent (30-of-59) from the floor on the night, adding a solid 86.7 percent (13-of-15) effort from the line. After allowing a hot start (MKE trailed 14-7 early and eventually 47-33) the final number from the floor for Oakland was back down to 40.8 percent (29-of-71). MKE claimed the rebound battle at 39-31.
 
Up next, the Panthers embark on the final road trip of the regular season, starting with a matchup at Youngstown State Thursday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CST. The game will be the biggest in the regular-season in some time for Milwaukee, as the Penguins are currently in first place in the Horizon League standings at 12-3 (the team does play tomorrow).