Northern Kentucky’s Dan Gherezgher Jr. helps hand Milwaukee Panthers a lopsided Horizon League home defeat
A familiar name returns to Milwaukee-area headlines
Milwaukee’s men’s basketball team absorbed a 85-67 home loss to Northern Kentucky on Jan. 9, 2026, as the Norse surged to a 55-37 halftime lead and controlled the game from there. The result dropped the Panthers to 7-10 overall and 3-3 in Horizon League play, while Northern Kentucky improved to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference.
Among the contributors for Northern Kentucky was Dan Gherezgher Jr., a former Brookfield East standout who has become a regular part of the Norse backcourt rotation and scoring profile this season. His presence added a local angle to a night that ultimately underscored Milwaukee’s difficulty slowing high-volume perimeter offense and limiting extended possessions.
How the game tilted: first-half scoring and second chances
Northern Kentucky’s early efficiency put Milwaukee in a chase position for most of the night. The Norse posted 55 first-half points and maintained a double-digit cushion into the second half, preventing the Panthers from turning the game into a half-court possession battle.
A key separator was Northern Kentucky’s ability to create extra opportunities and convert quickly. The Norse repeatedly generated second-chance scoring sequences and capitalized in transition, forcing Milwaukee to defend longer possessions while also protecting against quick-strike scoring on the other end.
Top performers and the perimeter factor
Kael Robinson led Northern Kentucky with 29 points and seven rebounds, including a barrage of three-point makes that stretched Milwaukee’s defensive coverage. Donovan Oday added 21 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Tae Dozier posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.
For Milwaukee, Stevie Elam scored 16 points with seven rebounds. Josh Dixon added 14 points and Amar Augillard scored 11. Milwaukee’s scoring output stabilized after halftime, but the early deficit and Northern Kentucky’s continued shot-making made sustained comeback pressure difficult to build.
What it meant in the Horizon League picture
The game carried added weight because both teams entered the matchup in the middle tier of a tightly packed conference race. Northern Kentucky’s win improved its positioning in the early season standings, while Milwaukee’s loss served as another reminder that small defensive lapses can be magnified against teams with multiple perimeter threats.
- Final score: Northern Kentucky 85, Milwaukee 67
- Date/site: Jan. 9, 2026, Milwaukee
- Records after game: Northern Kentucky 13-5 (5-2), Milwaukee 7-10 (3-3)
Milwaukee trailed by 18 at halftime and could not erase the margin against consistent outside shooting and extended possessions.