The UW-Milwaukee Panthers nearly blew a 13-point lead with just over 2 1/2 minutes left, but held on to beat Youngstown State 64-62 in men’s Horizon League action.
The Panthers lead was down to one, with UWM’s Ryan Haggerty at the free throw line. He missed the first and Panthers coach Rob Jeter was yelling for Haggerty to miss the second on purpose to possibly have more time go off the clock before the Penguins could attempt a game winning shot. The problem is, Haggerty made the second free throw.
The Penguins then quickly inbounded and hit a 3-point shot that would have won it, but replay showed Youngstown State didn’t get the last shot off in time and the Penguins survived.
Senior forward James Eayrs had 22 points and Ricky Franklin 19 for the Panthers, who improved to 15-12 overall and 7-8 in Horizon League play.
Milwaukee’s edge came at the free throw line where they hit 25 of 39, while Youngstown State hit just 12 of 19.
Tonight
The UW-Green Bay Phoenix are back home at the Resch Center tonight. They’ll take on Cleveland State in their final Horizon League home game of the season.