Black and Gold douse Flames; Butler next

For the second time in six days and the third time this season, the Milwaukee Panthers held serve over the UIC Flames. This time, however, was never in doubt, as the Panthers never let UIC crawl within arm’s reach of them, dousing the Flames 68-55.

The Panthers got up to a commanding 34-6 lead with 5:33 remaining in the first half before letting the Flames go on a 15-1 run to make it interesting coming out of the break. Milwaukee kept canning threes and getting fouled on buckets underneath, however, and the lead stayed in the 15-23 range for most of the second half.

It was as close as you could get to a complete game. Milwaukee’s defense was stifling, UIC’s offense was anemic, the Panthers drained it from everywhere they shot it - but the eight minute scoring drought sandwiched around half-time was enough to keep the game somewhat interesting. Milwaukee was one of three no-doubter victors on Tuesday night; only Detroit had trouble putting away the Loyola Ramblers, who had it within five late in the game.

James Haarsma paced the Panthers with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting including three treys to go with four rebounds.

Haarsma’s play was excellent; however, Ryan Allen was the true star of the first round. The defensive juggernaut scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, but his other stats - six rebounds, five steals, two blocks - really showed how much he dominated in this game. Allen scored on the three-point play twice, and neither of them came on long bombs. He cleaned up the glass and got buckets the hard way, playing the role of 6’3’’ power forward on offense for much of the night.

With a minute and change remaining, a “Rob-bie Je-ter” chant broke out in the north baseline student section, and he had about two seconds of acknowledging those students before he had to turn around and make sure the south end wasn’t left in the cold.

The Flames finished the season at 8-22, Howard Moore’s second at the helm. UIC won one more game than a year ago, which is an improvement albeit a small one.

Milwaukee moves on to play Butler, who dispatched of Wright State 70-52. That game will be the second on Friday night after Youngstown State plays Detroit in the 3/6 match-up.