Dec. 17, 2000

MADISON, Wis. - No. 16 Wisconsin made 23-of-32 free throw attempts to overcome 40 shooting from the field and hold off UWM, 55-47, Saturday night at the Kohl Center.

Clay Tucker scored 13 points to lead the Panthers, who were called for 25 fouls, compared to 15 for the Badgers.

The Panthers (5-4) held Wisconsin scoreless for more than nine minutes late in the first half and early in the second half, compiling an 11-0 run to tie the game 30-30 with 13:28 to play. The Badgers finally broke through on a Roy Boone three with 12:56 remaining in the game.

Wisconsin (7-1) led just 45-44 with 2:52 to play following a Tucker jump shot, but Wisconsin scored the final 10 of the final 13 points in the game for the victory. The Badgers wound up making just three field goals in the second half, and scored only 32 points from the field in the game.

"That's a heck of a college basketball game," UWM coach Bo Ryan said. "There were a lot of floor burns. These are two teams that aren't bashful when it comes to banging.

"We didn't get it inside enough," Ryan added. "We has some shots in the last two minute stretch that just didn't go down. But you have to give their defense credit for getting in our way on those looks."

The Panthers shot just 31 percent from the field, and converted on just 9-of-30 three-point shots. Wisconsin outrebounded UWM 35-23.

The Badgers led by as many as 13 points in the first half, leading 24-11 with 7:29 left, forcing a UWM timeout. Wisconsin also used a 9-0 run early in the first half to build an 11-2 advantage.

UWM returns to action Saturday, Dec. 23, hosting the University of San Diego at the Klotsche Center. The Toreros are 7-1 on the season, and are favored to win the West Coast Conference. The game begins a three-game homestand for the Panthers, who will also host Mt. Senario Dec. 27 and the University of Colorado on Dec. 30.

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