Wright State defeats Milwaukee 76-69 at Panther Arena, tightening race in the Horizon League standings

Raiders hold off late push to win in Milwaukee

Wright State earned a 76-69 road victory over Milwaukee on Friday night, Jan. 30, 2026, in Horizon League play. The result moved the Raiders to 14-8 overall and 9-2 in conference, while the Panthers fell to 9-14 overall and 5-7 in league play.

The game featured multiple momentum swings, with Wright State doing enough at the offensive end to withstand Milwaukee’s efforts to cut into the margin in the closing minutes. Milwaukee’s scoring balance kept the contest within reach, but the Panthers did not get over the top late.

Key individual production shaped the outcome

Wright State’s TJ Burch led the Raiders with 18 points and added four steals, combining scoring with disruptive on-ball defense. Dominic Pangonis finished with 16 points and five rebounds, providing frontcourt stability. Michael Cooper added 13 points while shooting 4-for-7 from the field and making 3 of 5 attempts from three-point range.

Milwaukee was led by Amar Augillard, who posted 19 points and eight rebounds. Aaron Franklin scored 13 points for the Panthers, giving Milwaukee a second double-figure scorer as it tried to match Wright State’s efficiency and pace.

• Wright State: three players scored 13 points or more, led by Burch (18).
• Milwaukee: Augillard led all Panthers with 19 points and added eight rebounds.
• Perimeter impact: Cooper’s 3-for-5 from three provided a key scoring lift.

What the result means for the conference picture

With the win, Wright State strengthened its position near the top of the Horizon League standings by improving to 9-2 in conference play. For Milwaukee, the loss created additional ground to make up in the second half of the league schedule, dropping the Panthers to 5-7 in conference action.

Both teams remain in the thick of a schedule that can shift quickly in a league where single-game swings frequently reshape the standings. Friday’s outcome also highlighted a key separator in conference play: converting strong individual performances into sustained execution late, especially when possessions become more deliberate and defensive intensity increases.

Final score: Wright State 76, Milwaukee 69 (Horizon League game played Jan. 30, 2026, in Milwaukee).

Next steps

Wright State continues conference play with its focus on maintaining pace in the league race, while Milwaukee looks to stabilize and regain traction in upcoming Horizon matchups. With several weeks left in the regular season, both programs still have opportunities to influence postseason seeding and positioning within the conference tournament field.