ROCHESTER, Mich. – Chandler Jackson scored 25 points, Sekou Konneh had a double-double, and Esyah Pippa-White handed out 13 assists but a second-half scoring run provided enough cushion for the Milwaukee men's basketball team to come up short against Oakland, 81-70, Sunday afternoon at the O'Rena.
 
"I thought we battled all day and, if a couple plays go differently, it's a different game," head coach Bart Lundy said. "We had a game plan where we did some things we've never done before. And we had one day to do it between games. I thought they grasped it and made some mistakes early, but they got better at it and gave us a chance."
 
In a contest that featured seven ties and 16 lead changes, the Golden Grizzlies (15-14, 11-7 Horizon League) used a big scoring run to forge ahead for the final time in handing the Panthers (11-19, 7-12 Horizon League) the hard-luck decision.
 
Milwaukee led, 61-58, following a Jackson three-point play with 8:09 remaining, only to see OU respond with a 14-2 run that pushed the advantage to 72-63. MKE would battle back to get within five, but that as close as the comeback attempt would get. The team was also without the services of Faizon Fields today, who reaggravated his prior foot injury Friday at Detroit Mercy.
 
"I thought our starters got a little tired and that's when they went on a run," Lundy said. "Between them being tired and us not having much rhythm coming off the bench – give Oakland credit. Brody Robinson really hurt us – not only his speed but his shooting as well."
 
Jackson tied his season-high with the 25 points, finishing 10-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line. He added four rebounds and a pair of assists.
 
Konneh posted the second double-double of his freshman campaign, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding a trio of blocks.
 
Pippa-White's 13 assists were just two off the program record, and the most in a game since 2021. He chipped in six points and four boards.
 
"I thought we had some really good individual performances," Lundy said. "Obviously Pip (Pippa-White) with 13 assists was phenomenal – understanding where we were trying to get the ball against the zone. Chandler was awesome. And Sekou – who's in the middle of Ramadan, no food or water since 5:30 a.m. this morning – played 27 minutes and had a double-double. That's pretty good for a freshman."
 
Amar Augillard and Stevie Elam each had 11 points.
 
Tuburu Naivalurua had a big game for Oakland with 23 points (9-13 FG) and nine rebounds, while Brody Robinson finished with 20 points and nine assists, hitting numerous big shots with the game still on the line down the stretch. The win snapped what was a four-game losing streak for them on the season.
 
Down, 41-34, at intermission, Jackson and Elam buried 3's on the first two possessions to make it a one-point game. Konneh added a three-point play of his own just after that, with his free throw capping an 11-2 run and pushing MKE head, 45-43.
 
Augillard hit a pair of 3's, one on a bank shot that extended the advantage to 54-48 with just under 14 minutes left. The Grizz would respond with nine of the next 11 points, but Jackson's tough drive to the hoop and following free throw gave the Panthers the 61-58 edge.
 
At that point, the momentum swung, with that 14-2 scoring run extending OU to a 72-63 advantage. Konneh had it back to five on a layup at 72-67 but the Panthers could get no closer.
 
The team came out strong, hitting a few early 3's in a loud environment at the O'rena, and Jackson's and-1 had MKE ahead 21-16, at the midway point of the period. But Oakland again had an answer, this time in the form of a 17-4 run that helped give them the short-lived lead at intermission.
 
For the day, Milwaukee finished at 42.2 percent (27-of-64) overall and went to the line just nine times (.778/7-of-9). OU connected on 51.8 percent (29-of-56) overall and made half of its shots from distance (.500/10-of-20). Milwaukee won the rebounding battle, 42-30, but the home team committed six fewer turnovers – with the first of the day not coming until the final minute of the first period.
 
Up next, the regular season concludes with a final home contest, with the Panthers set to welcome Youngstown State to UWM Panther Arena Wednesday. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in a matchup that will also be "Senior Day" for the program.