Cleveland State Edges Milwaukee in Thrilling Finish
Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Cleveland State Vikings 90, Milwaukee Panthers 88, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cleveland State Vikings vs Milwaukee Panthers?
Cleveland State Vikings beat Milwaukee Panthers 90-88 at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on February 1, 2026.
Who was favored in Cleveland State Vikings vs Milwaukee Panthers?
Milwaukee Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -500 (about 83% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling encounter at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, the Cleveland State Vikings triumphed over the Milwaukee Panthers with a final score of 90-88. This game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, each struggling in the latter part of the season but fighting hard for a crucial victory. Cleveland State entered the game with a record of 9-14, while Milwaukee sat at 9-15, making this matchup particularly significant for both squads as they sought to improve their standings.
Cleveland State came into the game riding a three-game winning streak, having won four of their last ten games. Their recent form has seen them average 80.3 points scored per game while allowing 86.0 points. In their last outing, they secured a 89-82 victory against the Green Bay Phoenix, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Conversely, Milwaukee has struggled recently, with only two wins in their last ten games, averaging 72.0 points scored but allowing a concerning 80.4 points per game. Their last game resulted in a 76-69 loss to Wright State, further highlighting their challenges on the court.
At home, Milwaukee has recorded a 1-3 record in their last four games, while Cleveland State has a 2-4 record in away games. This fixture was crucial for Milwaukee to leverage their home advantage, but they ultimately fell short against a determined Cleveland State side.
In their previous meetings, Cleveland State held a 2-1 advantage over Milwaukee, including a win earlier in the season on December 21, 2025, where they defeated the Panthers 81-71. The history between the teams added an extra layer of intensity to this matchup, with both sides eager to assert dominance.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any key players missing from either team, which meant both squads were at full strength for this important clash. The absence of injuries allowed for a competitive game, with both teams fielding their best lineups.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Milwaukee as the favorites with a spread of -9.5 and a money line of -500. Cleveland State was priced at +380 on the money line, indicating that they were seen as the underdogs heading into the game. The total points were set at 160.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring affair, which ultimately proved to be accurate given the final score.
Conditions in the arena were typical for an indoor basketball game, with no adverse weather factors affecting play. The atmosphere was charged, with fans from both sides eager to support their teams in a critical matchup.
As the game progressed, viewers witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Key moments included Stevie Elam's clutch three-pointer that put Cleveland State ahead late in the second half, as well as a series of free throws that ultimately sealed the victory for the Vikings. The final minutes were particularly tense, with both teams fighting for every point, showcasing their determination and resilience.
The game concluded with Cleveland State's victory, further solidifying their recent form and providing them with momentum as they continue their season. Milwaukee, despite the loss, showed flashes of potential but will need to regroup and address their defensive issues moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MILW -9.5 | 160.5 o -112 / u -108 | Cleveland State Vikings +380 · Milwaukee Panthers -500 |
Leaders
- PointsStevie Elam21Milwaukee Panthers
- AssistsAaron Franklin9Milwaukee Panthers
- ReboundsChandler Jackson12Milwaukee Panthers
- PointsJaidon Lipscomb21Cleveland State Vikings
- AssistsDayan Nessah6Cleveland State Vikings
- ReboundsDayan Nessah13Cleveland State Vikings
Recent form
Milwaukee Panthers
Last 10: 2-8Streak L172 scored · 80.4 allowed per game1-3 at home
- L69-76vs Wright State RaidersJan 31
- W65-64at Youngstown State PenguinsJan 24
- L76-88at Robert Morris ColonialsJan 23
- L82-100at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsJan 18
- L60-73vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesJan 16
- W95-83vs IU Indianapolis JaguarsJan 11
- L67-85vs Northern Kentucky NorseJan 10
- L76-79at Green Bay PhoenixJan 6
- L70-76at Wright State RaidersJan 1
- L60-80at Wisconsin BadgersDec 31
Cleveland State Vikings
Last 10: 4-6Streak W380.3 scored · 86 allowed per game2-4 away
- W89-82at Green Bay PhoenixJan 31
- W85-79at Wright State RaidersJan 22
- W80-78vs Youngstown State PenguinsJan 17
- L73-88vs Green Bay PhoenixJan 16
- L84-94at Detroit Mercy TitansJan 11
- L74-97at Oakland Golden GrizzliesJan 10
- L71-74at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsJan 4
- W99-86vs IU Indianapolis JaguarsDec 30
- L71-81vs Milwaukee PanthersDec 21
- L77-101at UAB BlazersDec 18
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Robert Morris | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Green Bay | 18-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Detroit Mercy | 17-15 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Oakland | 16-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 17-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Northern Kentucky | 20-14 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Youngstown State | 15-17 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Milwaukee | 12-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Cleveland State | 11-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| IU Indianapolis | 7-25 | 12 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Cleveland State Vikings | Milwaukee Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-56 | 28-58 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 14-36 | 11-29 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 38 |
| Free throws | 20-26 | 21-27 |
| Free throw % | 77 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 21 |
| Assists | 16 | 16 |
| Steals | 7 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 9 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 28 |
| Fouls | 22 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 96 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half57-49Chevalier Emery makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-52Stevie Elam makes 23-foot three point jumper (Chandler Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half58-52Jaidon Lipscomb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Stevie Elam makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-54Jaidon Lipscomb makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dayan Nessah assists)
- 2nd Half63-54Dayan Nessah makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-54Chevalier Emery makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tre Beard assists)
- 2nd Half66-56Josh Dixon makes 19-foot pullup jump shot (Aaron Franklin assists)
- 2nd Half66-57Sekou Konneh makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-58Sekou Konneh makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-60Stevie Elam makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half67-60Josiah Harris makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half68-60Josiah Harris makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half68-63Stevie Elam makes 23-foot three point jumper (Aaron Franklin assists)
- 2nd Half68-64Aaron Franklin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-65Aaron Franklin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-65Chevalier Emery makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-67Chandler Jackson makes layup
- 2nd Half70-69Chandler Jackson makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half73-69Tre Beard makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dayan Nessah assists)
- 2nd Half73-72Stevie Elam makes 24-foot three point jumper (Aaron Franklin assists)
- 2nd Half76-72Josiah Harris makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dayan Nessah assists)
- 2nd Half76-74Josh Dixon makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half77-74Tre Beard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-74Tre Beard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-75Chandler Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-76Chandler Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-76Chevalier Emery makes 27-foot three point jumper (Dayan Nessah assists)
- 2nd Half81-79Chandler Jackson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Aaron Franklin assists)
- 2nd Half83-79Dayan Nessah makes layup
- 2nd Half83-80Chandler Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half86-80Josiah Harris makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jaidon Lipscomb assists)
- 2nd Half86-83Stevie Elam makes 26-foot three point jumper (Josh Dixon assists)
- 2nd Half87-83Dayan Nessah makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half88-83Dayan Nessah makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half88-84Josh Dixon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half88-85Josh Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half88-88Josh Dixon makes 26-foot three point jumper (Aaron Franklin assists)
- 2nd Half89-88Jaidon Lipscomb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half90-88Jaidon Lipscomb makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Milwaukee Panthers, below favours Cleveland State Vikings.
Venue
- UW-Milwaukee Panther ArenaMilwaukee, WI
- Attendance2017
- OfficialsPaul Szelc, Randy Richardson, Jeff Lewis
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