Paulsen, Johnson combine for 49 in Panther third win
By Mike McMillan
Staff Writer
Last time the Panthers squared off against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee walked away with a 75-58 victory forcing 30 turnovers. As the two teams got ready for play Tuesday night it looked as if the game would be much of the same if not even more lopsided with a stronger Milwaukee team coming into the game.
If not for a second half outburst by Milwaukee, the Jackrabbits might have stole a victory at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The Panthers were ready for the challenge however as they cruised in the second half to a 89-80 victory.
As it turned out the Jackrabbits would be the team to establish themselves early in the first half taking a 16-9 lead early in the first half. Milwaukee took the lead for a short time on a Torre Johnson jumper in the lane 17-16, but it was unable to hold. Again it was Johnson who had nine first half points for the Panthers tying the game at 32-32. From that point on it was the Jackrabbits Garrett Callahan who had 13 first half points to lead SDSU to a 44-34 half time lead.
For the Panthers it was free throw shooting that held them back in the first half as they shot an abysmal 44.4 percent. Right out of the half the Panthers looked to take back their home floor with Freshman Tim Flowers scoring a bucket with a foul then senior Paige Paulsen added two 3-pointers to bring the Panthers within two, shortly after the Panthers were able to tie the game up 44-44 capping a 10-0 run.
Paulsen scored 17 of his game-high 27 points in the second half, at one point going coast-to-coast after stealing the ball with only one shoe, tying a career high. Along with Paulsen Johnson was able to chip in with 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Johnson and Paulsen together got the Panthers out to their largest lead of the game at 78-66 with five minutes to play.
Head coach Rob Jeter did not seem too thrilled about the first half play of his team stating, “until we play 40 minutes we are not a good basketball team, it is a fight from start to finish it is the only way to play this game.”
The team certainly responded to Jeter’s comments in the locker room at half came across “crystal clear” to his team as they came out determined to stop the Jackrabbits momentum.
With the game seeming almost out of reach for the Jackrabbits they made a late run as Kai Williams slammed home a dunk putting them within four, 80-76, with 2:11 to play. Williams let his emotions get to him as he slapped the backboard on the dunk and was given a technical foul and sparking another Panther run to end the game.
Next up for the Panthers will be the Drake Bulldogs Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena starting at 7 p.m. to continue their four-game home stand.
