Panthers advance with huge rally to remember
A comeback for the ages.
How better to describe UW-Milwaukee's miraculous, improbable and incredible 94-92 Horizon League tournament quarterfinal overtime victory at Wright State on Tuesday night?
DeAndre Gholston hit a three-pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining in regulation, then went 6 for 6 from the freethrow line in the final 38.7 seconds of the extra period to help eighth-seeded UWM (10-11) rally back from a 24-point deficit with 8 minutes 11 seconds remaining and knock off the secondseeded Raiders on their home court.
UWM appeared to be all but done when Pewaukee native Grant Basile's jumper with 6:26 remaining stretched the Raiders' lead out to 69-45.
But the Panthers slowly and methodically began chipping away and after rattling off 11 straight points cut the deficit down to 73-67 at the 1:33 mark.
UWM scored on three straight possessions from there while Wright State made 3 of 6 free throws, allowing the Panthers to draw even closer.
They trailed, 78-74, when Lucas was fouled shooting a three. He missed two of his final three attempts, but Wright State's Tanner Holden missed the front end of a bonus situation and Josh Thomas hit a three on the other end to make it a one-point game.
Holden canned his next two free throws, then Gholston hit an NBA-range three from the left wing with 1.3 seconds remaining to miraculously tie the game.
Wright State was unable to get a final shot off.
The Panthers trailed, 89-86, after a pair of Basile free throws with 1:43 in overtime when Amir Allen hit a pair to make it a one-point game. Then after the Panthers got a stop on the other end, Gholston hit a pair of free throws to give UWM its first lead since the opening minute of the game.
Gholston hit four more from that point after the Panthers forced a turnover and then a Raiders miss on the other end.
Wright State called timeout after Gholston's second two free throws and then got a three-pointer with 4 seconds left. Lucas was fouled and missed both his free throws, then Wright State missed a desperation heave and UWM found itself headed to Indianapolis for the semifinals next week.
Gholston finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, while Lucas added 25.
Basile had a monster game for Wright State with 35 points and 14 rebounds.
UWM had no answers for Wright State's potent inside-out offense in being swept Feb. 12-13, allowing 92 points in each game in the process.
This one transpired much the same way until the final few minutes.