UWM has a rough start in the Black & Gold Classic

Patience was the buzzword for the UW-Milwaukee Panthers on Friday night.

Not once but twice did they see their scheduled 8 p.m. tip time in the nightcap of the Black & Gold Classic at UWMilwaukee Panther Arena delayed due to circumstances beyond their control.

First it was Elon and Florida International going three overtimes in the opener, pushing UWM and Division II Concordia-St. Paul back by about 20 minutes. Then a roof leak directly in front of the visitors' bench led the officials to send the Panthers and Golden Bears players back to their respective locker rooms while the situation was being assessed.

Eventually either the rains slowed enough or the situation with the roof resolved itself, and shortly before 9 p.m. the teams finally got underway.

The game was the first for UWM since Monday, when it posted an impressive 74-56 upset at Iowa State. Coach Pat Baldwin made one change to his starting lineup, replacing Bryce Barnes at the point with August Haas, another sophomore.

The first half couldn't have gone any worse for the Panthers, as it turned out.

The Golden Bears shot a ridiculous 69.2% from the floor and 64.3% from three-point range (9 for 14) in opening a 47-25 halftime lead. Bryndan Matthews led all scorers with 16 points and Cody Carlson came off the bench to hit all four of his three-pointer attempts and chip in with 14 points.

UWM got eight points and three assists from Haas but made its situation even tougher by shooting just 28.1% overall and 11.1% from beyond the arc (2 for 18). The Panthers also were out-rebounded by three and committed eight turnovers.

Elon 95, Florida International 85 (3 OT): Dmitri Thompson's one made field goal was huge, as his three-pointer sent the game into overtime, and the Phoenix outlasted the Panthers from there in the opener.

Dainan Swoope had 26 points and six rebounds to lead four players in double figures for Elon (2-2), while Steven Santa Ana added 21 points and eight rebounds.

Eric Lockett's 21 points and 13 rebounds paced Florida International (1-2).