MILWAUKEE -- Jordan Aaron scored 27 points boosting Wisconson-Milwaukee to an 82-76 win over Youngstown State in a Horizon League conference opener for the schools on Thursday night.

Youngstown State (9-6, 0-1 Horizon) led at the start 2-0 but quickly fell behind Milwaukee trailing by 10 at the half and eventually 19 points, 69-50, on a pair of Aaron free throws with eight minutes left.

The six point margin of victory suggested the game was closer than it was actually played, but Youngstown State never really posed a threat. Milwaukee (11-4, 1-0 Horizon) outshot and outrebounded the Penguins and went to the penalty line 11 more times than Youngstown in earning the win.

Steve McWhorter added 17 points and Kyle Kelm 12 for Milwaukee.

Kendrick Perry led all players, scoring 31 points for Youngstown State and adding to his team leading 20.8 scoring average.