Nov. 12, 1999

MILWAUKEE - A new era of UWM basketball started Friday night as new head coach Bo Ryan coached his first game on the Panther sideline. However, UWM dropped its preseason opener to Marathon Oil, 86-75, at the Klotsche Center.

"I have never been in a game I didn't want to win," said Ryan. "But you can also look at it as a learning experience. It is tough to find a guy who learns more than me in this situation."

Both teams traded the lead for much of the first half that ended with Marathon up 42-35 at the break. The second half saw four more lead changes until Marathon Oil pulled ahead, 55-54, with 14:28 remaining.

Along with a new head coach, the Panthers showcased many new faces and a much faster style of play. Junior center Chad Angeli (Wausau, Wis.-West) led UWM's attack recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Red-shirt freshmen Clay Tucker (Lima, Ohio-Perry) and Ronnie Jones (Las Vegas, Nev.) added 18 and 16 points, respectively, in their first collegiate game.

Said Angeli of the game, "After tonight's performance, it will just motivate me to be a better player."

UWM takes on the WBO Stars on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Klotsche Center in their final preseason matchup of the year. Tipoff is at 7:00 pm. The Panthers open their regular season against Central Michigan on Nov. 20 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.