Oct. 31, 2001

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Jason Frederick scored 22 points and Clay Tucker added 16 as the UWM men's basketball team won its 2001-02 exhibition opener, 84-74, over the EA Sports Midwest All-Stars Wednesday night at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers led by as many as 14 points in the first half and held off a second-half rally to win in the debut of new head coach Bruce Pearl.

"I was pleased with our effort and the fact that we knew going in we wanted to play 10 or 11 guys and get a lot of contributions," Pearl said. "They played with good intensity."

The Panthers played 11 of the 14 players in uniform for the game and all 11 players scored. UWM also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and forced 18 turnovers by EA Sports. The Panthers hung on for the victory despite shooting just 24 percent from three-point range and 58 percent from the foul line.

"We were a little rusty," Frederick said. "I think we did a good job of attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. Now we just need to make our free throws."

UWM put the game away with a 7-0 spurt during a 2:16 stretch late in the second half. EA Sports closed to within four at 74-70 following a three-point basket by Richard Davis. The Panthers countered with a three-point basket by Tucker and free throws by James Wright and Tucker to put the game away.

The Panthers controlled much of the first half, building an early 21-11 advantage. UWM expanded its advantage to 38-24 following a layup by Justin Lettenberger. EA Sports, though, scored nine of the final 12 points of the half to pull within 41-33 at halftime.

UWM returns to action Fri., Nov. 9, hosting a team from Lithuania at 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center.