Milwaukee forward Faizon Fields (22) tied his career high with 21 points and grabbed a season-best nine rebounds while shooting an efficient 9 of 10 from the floor. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.
Milwaukee used a commanding performance in the paint and quality defense to secure a 79-64 victory over Youngstown State on Friday night at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Panthers (13-6, 6-2 Horizon League) improved to 9-0 at home this season, dominating the Penguins (11-8, 6-3 Horizon League) in a battle of Horizon League contenders.
Faizon Fields led the charge, tying his career high with 21 points and grabbing a season-best nine rebounds while shooting an efficient 9 of 10 from the floor. Fields’ performance spearheaded Milwaukee’s relentless interior attack, as the team poured in 62 points in the paint and outscored Youngstown State 62-28 in that area. Themus Fulks added 18 points and four assists in the effort.
The Panthers maintained control throughout the game despite going 0 of 5 from 3-point range and shooting just 46.4% (13-of-28) from the free-throw line. They built a comfortable lead by halftime and held strong when Youngstown State threatened to close the gap.
“I don’t know if that was the most aesthetically-pleasing game ever,” Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy said. “But I thought our first 24 minutes of defense was about as good as we have played, which was good because we didn’t play great offense. I thought our bigs were phenomenal. We just have to get a little more from the perimeter.
“Whatever my coaching philosophy about analytics is … we were not on that pattern tonight. I know it’s been 11 years since Milwaukee did not make a 3, but that may be the first time in my career that one of my teams did not make a 3.”
Milwaukee vs. Youngstown State: Photo Gallery
Milwaukee senior point guard Themus Fulks finished with 18 points and four assists on Friday. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee forward Jamichael Stillwell finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for his 12th double-double this season. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee associate coach Jose Winston watches on during the team’s win. As a player, Winston was a three-year starter at Colorado before playing his final season at Milwaukee, helping lead the program to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2002-03. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Youngstown State’s Cris Carroll scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds against Milwaukee. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.DJ Nic Stokes pumps up the Milwaukee crowd as the Panthers remained undefeated (9-0) at home this season. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee guard Kentrell Pullian has served as a key piece for the Panthers over the last three years. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy draws up a play in the team’s victory over Youngstown State. The Panthers did not make a 3-pointer for the first time in 11 years. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee guard Learic Davis (center) watches on as the Panthers dominate the interior to prevail against a quality Youngstown State team. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee guard Erik Pratt (8) finished with nine points off the bench on Friday. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee guard Esyah Pippa-White (right) greets forward Danilo Jovanovich. In 18 minutes off the bench, Jovanovich had 10 points and seven rebounds. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee guard John Lovelace Jr. (center) faced his former team for the first time after spending two seasons with Youngstown State. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.Milwaukee forward Faizon Fields finished with two blocks in a dominating performance against Youngstown State. Photo by Stella Nastulski, Mid-Major Basketball.
Stella Nastulski is a junior attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, studying Journalism, Advertising and Media studies. Nastulski has enjoyed creating content for local teams, including Milwaukee Area Technical College’s men’s basketball team and other University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee athletics teams. She specializes in photography and social media management. Follow Nastulski on X (Twitter) @stellanastulski.
[…] a tough, gritty, physical Horizon League showdown, the Milwaukee Panthers came out on top against the Youngstown State Penguins, 79-64, on Friday […]
[…] a tough, gritty, physical Horizon League showdown, the Milwaukee Panthers came out on top against the Youngstown State Penguins, 79-64, on Friday […]