Milwaukee, WI
UWM gets a harsh dose of reality as Panthers lose their first game of the season
The first real test of the season for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was also a lesson for the Panthers.
Milwaukee got punched in the mouth from the jump in their first game against a NCAA Division I opponent and never fully recovered defensively in an 87-67 loss to Northern Iowa on the road Thursday night in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The backcourt duo of Themus Fulks (18 points) and AJ McKee (16) led the way for Milwaukee, which dropped to 1-1 on the young season, while Jamichael Stillwell finished one rebound shy of a double-double.
Here’s what we learned from a challenging evening for Milwaukee.
Defense gets a run for its money
There was a bit of a step up in competition from Monday night’s opener against D-III Lawrence when Milwaukee stepped onto the floor at the McLeod Center.
UNI, picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference, put on a clinic of offensive efficiency.
BOX SCORE: Northern Illinois 87, UWM 68
Led by lights-out shooting from Tytan Anderson and Trey Campbell, the host Panthers shot 60.4% from the floor, pouring it on from the very outset of the game through the final buzzer.
UNI shot 65.4% in the first half to jump out to a 45-34 lead, a deficit that could have even been much worse for the visitors after they trailed 23-5 halfway through the period.
A Campbell three in transition ballooned UNI’s lead to a game-high 20 points at 76-56, then moments later a fastbreak alley-oop by Wauwatosa East graduate Leon Bond III put an exclamation on the performance.
UNI shot 12 of 24 from three-point range, the product of some unexpected shot-making and defensive lapses by Milwaukee.
“I thought it was both,” Panthers head coach Bart Lundy said. “We weren’t connected and were not as focused on defense as we’d liked to have been. Give them credit. They have guys that don’t always make shots like that made a lot of shots tonight. They’re too good a team to beat when you get into a hole like that.”
Wisconsin products sting Milwaukee
A trio of native Wisconsinites played a role in giving Milwaukee fits.
The effort was led by Bond, a high-flying junior who initially began his collegiate career at Virginia as a three-star prospect. The wing went 4 for 6 from the field and hit two threes to finish with 11 points and four rebounds.
“He’s a good player,” Lundy said of Bond. “He changes a lot for them defensively with his athleticism.”
Freshman Will Hornseth from De Pere, played only 11 minutes but gave Milwaukee fits in the first half in particular on his way to finishing with 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting.
DeForest’s Max Weisbord rounded out the stat sheet with two points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
On the margins
There wasn’t a whole lot to write home about for Milwaukee, which was only 6 ½ point underdogs coming in and felt it should at the very least compete with UNI.
But for Panthers fans looking for a silver lining there was at least something: They continued to play well in areas on the margins in which they often struggled last season.
Milwaukee, all things considered, dominated on the glass. Despite missing 20 more shots from the field than UNI, it won the rebound battle, 34-31. This was thanks to grabbing 14 offensive rebounds off of 39 misses while allowing only five.
Lundy’s team also finished with more turnovers forced (13) than committed (9).
These were two particularly frustrating areas the past two years for the Panthers, who have opened this season at the very least pleased with the turnaround so far.
“We’re rebounding it well,” Lundy said. “We have to get those assist numbers. Part of that is shot making but part of that is making plays for others. I don’t think it’s going to be a consistent problem but it was a problem tonight. We’ve just got a more physical group with size that goes after the ball. Guys are boxing out more. It’s a team effort.”
MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels
Partly sunny skies on Saturday with a slight chance for a few sprinkles or a shower.
Temperatures warmer on Saturday in the mid to upper 60s. Isolated 70s near the border. Breezy with winds gusting near 30mph.
Cooler temperatures in the upper 50s on Sunday (Mother’s Day) with increasing clouds. Patchy frost Saturday night into Sunday and Sunday night into Monday.
Next chance of rain and storms arrives on Tuesday.
Today: Partly sunny. A few showers possible. Breezy.
High: 67°
Wind: NW 10-25
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Patchy frost.
Low: 42°
Wind: NW 5-10
Sunday: Increasing clouds.
High: 57°
Wind: NW 5-15
Monday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 39° High: 59°
Wind: E 5-10
Tuesday: Warm and windy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 42° High: 68°
Wind: SW 10-25
Wednesday:Partly sunny.
AM Low: 46° High: 59°
Wind: NW 5-15
Thursday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 42° High: 64°
Wind: S 5-10
6-day planner
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
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Big picture view:
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Bobby Portis Foundation hosted a luncheon Friday at Roosevelt Middle School to honor teachers — many of whom are also mothers — with Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week overlapping on the calendar.
Portis and his mother, Tina Edwards, spent the day celebrating educators and reflecting on the mission behind the foundation.
“We just want to make sure that we let the teachers know you are appreciated because sometimes it goes beyond being a parent at home, but sometimes teachers are parents at school,” Edwards explained.
Ariel Campos, TMJ4 Sports
For Portis, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, the foundation has always been rooted in one person.
“The Bobby Portis Foundation has always just been solely based upon really my mom, and that’s the inspiration behind it,” Portis said.
WATCH: Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
Growing up, Portis watched his mother raise four boys on her own.
“My mom worked tirelessly to take care of all four of us,” Portis said.
Edwards made sacrifices for her sons from the very beginning — including turning down a basketball scholarship after becoming pregnant with Bobby.
“I still was offered a scholarship after I had him, but I wanted to choose him over ball,” Edwards said.
Tina Edwards
That sacrifice brought her full circle through her son’s career.
“With Bobby becoming an NBA player, he’s living my dream, and I’m living the dream through him,” Edwards shared.
For Portis, the event was an opportunity to honor everything his mother has given him.
“I can’t just put into words what my mom has done for me, not only for my basketball career – that’s just like a small portion of my life – I’m talking about just me as a human being, as a man. I mean, I didn’t have a dad growing up, so my mom played both roles. She did a hell of a job raising not only me but my three other brothers,” Portis said.
His grandmother’s message to spread his blessings continues to drive his work.
“Being able to be in a position now to have a voice, to have a platform, to give back, to help inspire. I try to use it to the best of my abilities,” Portis said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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MILWAUKEE — Saturday is the start of the food truck curfew in downtown Milwaukee. That curfew was passed by the Common Council to address safety concerns after several violent incidents.
Alma Juarez is with Tacos Almita on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Juarez said since the city passed the curfew, she’s had just over two weeks to adjust.
“We’re trying to think what we’re going to do,” said Juarez. “Maybe we’re going to start in another place or move the food truck after 10 p.m., but that means we have to start over again.”
She said that means she may also have to start building up a news customer base.
“Moving the truck means that… we have to struggle,” said Juarez.
Juarez is not alone in worrying about her financial future.
Last Thursday, a group of owners took their concerns to city hall. Jennifer Martinez, who’s with the food truck known as Tacos El Pastorcito Mixe, was at that demonstration. She said the late-night hours make up roughly 75% of her revenue.
“During the day, I’ve tried opening very early in the morning — 8 a.m. 9 a.m. — it doesn’t make a difference. There’s no… we don’t have much sales throughout the day,” said Martinez.
Ald. Robert Bauman represents downtown and was the sponsor of the ordinance.
Last week he told Spectrum News that he’s aware of the economic burden the truck operators are facing. However, he said safety concerns are a bigger priority.
“And MPD (Milwaukee Police Department) has said on the record repeatedly that food trucks are a major contributing cause for the loitering and disorder that takes place on Water Street,” said Bauman, who represents District 4 in Milwaukee.
He said he’s willing to take a hit on food trucks and prioritize the concerns of larger businesses.
“If they feel that downtown is not safe anymore, they’ll either not come at all, or they’ll leave as soon as their event is over with and not spend any additional money in the downtown area,” said Bauman.
But Juarez said the city shouldn’t have to do that. She said she believes food trucks aren’t the cause of the problem.
“You can see it in any places, but not here,” said Juarez. “It can happen here, but not in front of the food trucks cause they are saying that a lot of violence, a lot of the things that are going on is in front of the food truck. You can see that all the shooting happens after 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. Last shooting, it was after 1 a.m.”
Food truck owners said they hope to continue to turn a profit after the ordinance starts, but they said they face a potentially tough financial future.
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