MILWAUKEE – BJ Freeman and Kentrell Pullian recorded double-doubles and the Milwaukee men's basketball team used a key scoring run midway through the second half to pull away from Detroit Mercy and claim a stress-free 87-71 victory down the stretch Thursday night at UWM Panther Arena.
 
The Panthers (10-10, 5-4 Horizon League) led the entire first half before the Titans (0-21, 0-10 Horizon League) used a huge scoring run of their own that spanned both halves to take a second-half lead. Milwaukee had the answer next, using a 13-2 stretch of its own to take control and run away and hide to claim the important win.
 
"I thought our guys did a good job," head coach Bart Lundy said. "We spent all week on trying to get stops and we adjusted some things and played a little more zone. It took us a bit to adjust. They made that banked three at the half and had the ball coming out and made a three and that kind of got them going. I thought when we needed to get stops, we did. We're not there yet, but we are trending in the right direction."
 
Freeman finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, adding five assists and 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Pullian went for 20 points and 10 rebounds, going 7-of-13 on the night.
 
After retaking the lead and up just 60-57, Freeman hit a key three-pointer that started that 13-2 spree, taking the lead up to 73-59 with 7:28 to play. The advantage grew to as many as 18 as the victory was never in doubt the rest of the way.
 
"We have had a lot of trouble just being on the same page," Lundy said about the recent defensive efforts. "And I thought the guys were way more locked in on being on the same page. We were able to change defenses a little bit and simplify things. If we can expand those stretches (on defense), we are going to score enough points."
 
Faizon Fields added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Elijah Jamison was also in double-figures with 10 points, adding six rebounds.
 
Emmanuel Kuac led UDM with a career-best 27 points, making 7-fo-13 from deep in a surprise outing – he came into the game having scored just 14 points on the season. Jayden Stone added a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists for the visitors.
 
The MKE offense was on full display early, making its first eight field goals of the night in building advantages of 16-7 and 41-31. The Titans would not go away, and with the Panther lead eventually at 45-31, would score 15 consecutive points – including that banked-in three from half-court to beat the halftime horn – to surprise the home team and take a 46-45 lead at the 18:11 mark of the second period.
 
The Panthers righted the ship quickly, eventually taking the lead for good on a three-pointer by Erik Pratt at the 16:02 mark that made it 52-49. Back-and-forth it went from there, with the scoreboard eventually reading 60-57 before Freeman's step-back triple started the decisive run.
 
The MKE offense converted 57.9 percent (33-of-57) from the floor overall on the night – its second-best performance of the season. They dominated points in the paint to the tune of 56-30 and fast break points were also in their favor at 31-8. The team won the rebounding battle, 41-30, and held Detroit Mercy to under 40 percent from the floor overall, finishing at 38.6 percent (27-of-70).
 
Up next, the Panthers welcome Oakland to town Saturday, set for a 3 p.m. tip.