Milwaukee led by four points at halftime over Horizon League-leading Northern Kentucky, but the Norse outscored the Panthers 43-26 in the second half to win 73-60.
Jake Wright led Milwaukee with 16 points, and Vance Johnson contributed 11 off the bench as well as 12 rebounds.
Northern Kentucky got a 30-point outing from Drew McDonald and a trio of other Norse players scored in double figures to key the victory.
Northern Kentucky leads the Horizon League by two full games. Milwaukee is tied for sixth with two other programs.
The teams will meet again February 28 in Milwaukee. The Panthers will get a bit of time off before playing Green Bay on Friday night.