Milwaukee, WI

Dramatic buzzer-beater lifts UWM to critical Horizon League win over Northern Kentucky

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Dramatic buzzer-beater lifts UWM to critical Horizon League win over Northern Kentucky

This may not come as much of a surprise: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee found itself locked in another nail-biter Saturday evening at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

And when all seemed to be falling apart in a chaotic final minute, Kentrell Pullian’s hustle and Angelo Stuart’s calm patience saved the day for the Panthers.

Following a pair of fantastic defensive plays by Pullian moments prior, Stuart hit a game-winning three from the wing with 1.4 seconds to play to give the Panthers a 73-72 win over Northern Kentucky.

After the Panthers inbounded in the frontcourt with nine seconds left and trailing by two, Northern Kentucky denied the ball from going to the top scoring options. Instead, forward Langston Wilson caught the ball near the boundary and started to work toward the key but was met with a firm double team.

With time running down, he fired off a pass to an open Stuart, whose 25-footer was nothing but net.

The Norse got off a look from halfcourt at the buzzer that would have won the game but the shot clanged off the front of the rim.

It was a wild ending that was befitting of the game until that point.

The second half saw eight lead changes and no lead ever larger than five points. Milwaukee never led by more than three.

With the ball and trailing by two points with under 30 seconds to play, Erik Pratt missed a three to take the lead and then BJ Freeman turned the ball over following an offensive rebound.

But Stuart was not the lone hero on the evening.

BOX SCORE: UWM 73, Northern Kentucky 72

Pullian made a pair of remarkable defensive plays in the ensuing seconds, swiping the ball out of bounds from behind on a breakaway layup attempt and then blocking a shot at the rim with 15 seconds to play.

Pullian was credited with two blocks on the sequence, which ended in a Panthers fastbreak and the ball landing out of bounds off the Norse in the corner of the frontcourt.

Stuart, who had just three points to that moment in the game, was certainly not the primary option coming out of a timeout for Milwaukee, but he was on the floor for a reason. The capable shooter didn’t hesitate after receiving the pass from Wilson and buried his second three of the night to keep the Panthers’ hopes of a bye in the Horizon League Tournament alive.

The win vaulted Milwaukee into a three-way tie for fifth place alongside the Norse and Cleveland State. The top five seeds get a first-round bye, while the top four get a bye and host their first game.

Freeman scored 26 points and had 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Panthers. Pratt finished with 13 points.

The Norse took a 36-35 lead into the locker room after a back-and-forth first half in which the Panthers let it fly from deep, going 8 for 22 from three, but turned the ball over nine times.

Pullian had nine points on 3 for 5 shooting – all from distance – to lead Milwaukee while Freeman had eight points, six rebounds and three assists in his return to the lineup from an illness.

In all, there were 12 lead changes in the first 20 minutes.

The Panthers rarely and briefly led in the first stretch of the second half, holding a one-point advantage three times, but also never trailed by more than five through the under-8 minute media timeout.

Then Freeman took over, scoring on a three-point play to tie the score at 60-60, then canning a three from the wing to put Milwaukee up by three, its largest lead of the night.

The Norse, however, responded with an 8-2 run of their own, capped by a corner three by Michael Bradley to put them back in front, 68-65, with under four minutes to play.

The Panthers trailed by five with 2:25 to play but Freeman and Pratt scored in the lane on their next two possessions to cut the deficit to one.

After going ahead by five, Northern Kentucky missed the front end of the single bonus, turned the ball over, split a pair of free throws, turned it over again and then was blocked twice by Pullian.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee lights 112th annual Christmas tree in historic Deer District celebration

Published

14 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee lights 112th annual Christmas tree in historic Deer District celebration

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee celebrated the lighting of its 112th annual Christmas tree Thursday evening in the Deer District, marking the second-longest-running Christmas tree lighting tradition in the United States behind only New York City.

The 42-foot Colorado blue spruce, donated by Kaitlyn Schmidt Thabet and Amgad Thabet, was transformed with vibrant jewel tones, large reflective metallic ornaments, oversized snowflakes and lighted stars inspired by the theme “Shining Together.”

“This tree stands as a celebration of Milwaukee’s incredible spirit during the winter season,” said David Caruso, designer of the Christmas tree and local event planner and TV host. “My hope is that it fills your evening and your holidays with light, joy and pride.”

Watch the full tree lighting ceremony:

Milwaukee lights 112th annual Christmas tree in historic Deer District celebration

Mayor Cavalier Johnson emphasized the historic significance of the event during his remarks to the crowd gathered in the Deer District.

“Tonight is special, not just because the holiday brings people together, but because this is a historic night for Milwaukee,” Johnson said. “Our Christmas tree lighting in the City of Milwaukee is the second-longest-running Christmas tree lighting in the United States of America, only behind New York City.”

The celebration featured performances by the Reagan High School varsity Drumline and entertainment by Guyton Entertainment and DJ YC.

Santa Claus made a special appearance, accompanied by his reindeer. Another famous deer — Bucks mascot Bango, also took part in the celebration.

Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum, expressed pride in hosting the tree lighting in the Deer District.

“This is what we dreamed about when we built the Deer District,” Feigin said. “This is one of the greatest things.”

The celebration concluded with the mayor’s family and other children helping to officially light the tree, continuing Milwaukee’s 112-year tradition of bringing the community together for the holidays.

The event also launched the new Deer District Holiday Market, which runs through November 30 in the beer garden area. The market features local makers, food and drinks.

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, WI

112th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Milwaukee’s Cheer District

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

112th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Dynamic Events by David Caruso, designer of the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree, will produce the tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 21 with Mayor Johnson.

MILWAUKEE – Deer District is transformed into Cheer District through Jan. 15. The City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree will also be displayed in Cheer District for the fourth straight year and lit by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 21.

Dynamic Events by David Caruso, designer of the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree, will produce the tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 21 with Mayor Johnson.

The City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree is the second-longest running official tree in the United States after New York City, with this year marking the 112th year of the city’s tree.

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Milwaukee, WI

Hugh Jackman to attend Milwaukee premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2025

Press Room

Hugh Jackman to attend Milwaukee premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

MILWAUKEE — Oscar-nominated actor Hugh Jackman will be visiting the Badger State in the coming weeks for his upcoming film “Song Sung Blue.”

The film, starring Jackman and Kate Hudson, is based on an iconic Milwaukee Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning & Thunder.

Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina (left) and Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl (right) in director Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue,” a Focus Features release. (Focus Features)

Mike Sardina was the “Lightning” while Claire Stengl was the “Thunder.” As the film’s description suggests, the two found love while following their musician dreams. They performed in the Midwest throughout the 80s and 90s and also opened for some major bands. They later married. Mike Sardina died in 2006.

Now, with the film about their lives and careers gearing up to play in theaters, there will be a special appearance in Cream City.

Hugh Jackman in director Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue,” a Focus Features release. (Focus Features)

Because of the film’s roots, a premiere will take place at The Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, 2230 N Farwell Ave, on Dec. 2.

During the hometown premiere, Jackman and the writer and director of the film, Craig Brewer, will attend.

Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina (left) and Kate Hudson as Claire Stengl (right) in director Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue,” a Focus Features release. (Focus Features)

“Song Sung Blue” will start playing in theaters on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025. The film also stars Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley with Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.

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