Dancing Panthers: UWM punches unlikely ticket to Tournament

DAYTON, OHIO - In a preseason poll of coaches, media and other officials around the Horizon League, the UWM Panthers were picked to finish dead last.

They chose to aim a bit higher.

Kyle Kelm scored 20 points, Jordan Aaron added 18 and UWM held off a late charge from Wright State in the Horizon League Tournament Championship Game, winning 69-63 and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The tenacious Panthers jumped out to a 15 point lead in the first half, refusing to cave to pressure from a defensive-minded Wright State squad. Each time the lead dwindled, the Panthers hit three pointers to get the advantage back above double digits.

UWM will hear their names called in the NCAA Tournament Selection Show Sunday from 5:00-6:00 on CBS 58.