Cleveland State rallies late to edge UW-Milwaukee 90-88 after final-second free throws in Milwaukee
Late foul sends Cleveland State to the line with one second left
UW-Milwaukee’s comeback effort ended one possession short Sunday, Feb. 1, as Cleveland State escaped Panther Arena with a 90-88 Horizon League win decided at the free-throw line in the closing second.
With the game tied in the final moments, Cleveland State guard Jaidon Lipscomb drew contact and hit two free throws with one second remaining. Milwaukee did not convert a final attempt before time expired, sealing a two-point road win for the Vikings and extending their recent momentum after entering the day on a three-game winning streak.
How the scoring shaped the game
The contest was high scoring throughout, with Cleveland State taking a 44-39 lead into halftime and then withstanding Milwaukee’s 49-point second half. The Panthers trimmed the margin repeatedly after the break, producing the “wild finish” that turned on late execution and foul management rather than a final field goal.
Lipscomb led Cleveland State with 21 points, fueled by five made three-pointers and efficient work at the foul line. Dayan Nessah produced a near all-around stat line with 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, helping Cleveland State hold up during stretches when Milwaukee’s pace and shot-making tightened the game. Chevalier Emery added 17 points for the Vikings.
Milwaukee’s response and near-finish
Milwaukee had multiple late-game answers, led by Stevie Elam’s 21 points. Josh Dixon added 19, and Aaron Franklin delivered one of the most complete lines on the floor: 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Panthers’ second-half output reflected both improved shot volume and steadier offensive organization, while the late possession sequence underscored a recurring reality in close conference games: a single defensive mistake or late foul can swing the outcome when teams are trading baskets and the margin is one possession.
What it means in the Horizon League race
The win moved Cleveland State to 9-14 overall and 5-7 in Horizon League play, while Milwaukee fell to 9-15 and 5-8. In a league table led by Wright State, the result kept both teams in the middle tier of the standings, where small clusters of one- and two-game gaps can shift quickly with each weekend.
Cleveland State: 90 points on a road court, with the deciding score coming at the line.
Milwaukee: 49 second-half points, but the final defensive sequence proved decisive.
The final margin matched the late-game reality: a single trip to the free-throw line separated the teams.