Panthers Remain Perfect in Horizon League Play, But Battered by Badgers

After an eight-day break, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee men’s basketball team returned to UWM Panther Arena for the final time this year. The Panthers recorded a 77-55 win over Purdue University Fort Wayne on Dec. 29 to remain unbeaten in Horizon League play. 

A 28-7 lead helped propel UWM to its first win over PFW since Feb. 25, 2024.  

For Milwaukee its offense worked in tandem, as Aaron Franklin led the shooting efforts with 13 points to go along with 13 rebounds for his first double-double as a member of the program. 

In total, four Panthers scored in double figures. Amar Augillard shot 4-of-9 from the field and 2-for-6 from three-point range en route to a 12 point outing. Both Jackson Chandler and Sekou Konneh combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds. 

This season, Milwaukee is fifth in the Horizon League in offensive scoring — averaging 80.2 ppg. Defensively, the team currently ranks sixth, allowing teams on average to score 79.2 ppg. 

The Achilles heel for the Mastodons continues to be their rebounding, as Milwaukee outrebounded Purdue Fort Wayne 53-to-20. Statistically, PFW is the worst team in the Horizon League in combined team rebounds, averaging only 31.3 boards a game. 

The 33 rebound differential in a single game is the second best mark in school history. Head coach Bart Lundy said the team’s defensive effort was a crucial part of the game. 

“It’s by far the best defense effort we’ve had. I can’t say enough about Franklin, he was guarding the league’s leading scorer [in Corey Hadnot II], and just did a phenomenal job,” Lundy said. “[We] took away the things that we needed to take away, and limited them to one shot.”

As a team, Milwaukee shot 44.4% from the field and 36% from three-point range. With 15 opportunities at the free throw line, the Panthers were an efficient 80% with 12 made shots. 

Despite the loss for the Mastodons, Mikale Stevenson had a match-high 18 points. He also added two steals, three assists and five rebounds to his stat sheet. 

After the game against Purdue Fort Wayne, Milwaukee stayed in Wisconsin for its final non-conference matchup, a Big Ten Conference bout with the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Dec. 30 at Kohl Center. 

The Panthers faced off against the Badgers for the first time since 2019 and fell short 80-60. With the 20 point loss, Josh Dixon was the lone bright spot for the team as he scored 17 points. For the true freshman, it marks his fifth game this season in which he scored in double figures. 

Augillard also contributed to the Panther’s offensive gameplan with 15 points and five rebounds. 

For Wisconsin, 11 players scored in the outing. Badgers Nick Boyd and Nolan Winter overwhelmed the Panthers defense as they combined for 30 points and 10 rebounds. Winter nearly recorded a double-double as he reeled in seven boards. 

With the loss, UWM falls to 7-7 overall and 3-0 in Horizon League play. 

The Panthers will ring in the New Year with conference action against Wright State University at 2 p.m. Jan. 1, 2026 inside the Nutter Center in Dayton. 

The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and 101.7 FM The Truth.