Nov. 9, 2001

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Six players scored in double figures and every player dressed for the Panthers played as UWM had a surprisingly easy time with Lithuania-Alita, claiming a 114-53 win in an exhibition game Friday night at the Klotsche Center.

The Lithuanians had played tough - especially in the first half - in losses to Valparaiso, Southern Illinois and Drake. But, Alita could not handle UWM's pressure defense, committing 19 first-half turnovers en route to a remarkable 73-17 halftime deficit.

"Everything was obviously going our way," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We were too strong and they were too tired. This was their third game in three nights, so you can't look into the score too much."

The game was over not long after opening tip, with UWM building a 23-5 advantage seven minutes into the contest. The lead blossomed to 29-7 on back-to-back three-point shots by Dan Weisse, and quickly the lead was 36-7 on a Jason Frederick three. The lead was 48-9 at the eight minute mark and continued to grow during the remainder of the half. A three-point shot at the buzzer of the half by Ronnie Jones capped the first 20 minutes.

Little changed early in the second half, with the Panthers leading by as many as 69 points - highlighted by a James Wright dunk that made the score 102-33 with 8:40 left in the game.

Tucker scored 23 points to lead the Panthers despite not playing in the second half. Frederick added 16, Wright 14 and Weisse 11 among the starters. Jones scored 14 and Kalombo Kadima 13 off-the-bench.

The game also saw the debut of freshman Mark Pancratz, who scored two points in ten minutes. Walk-ons Will Ryan, Ben Brey and Tom Becker also played.

"Obviously we would have preferred a better test," Pearl said. "But given our schedule, to have a chance to play some of the guys that won't get to play a lot was nice."

UWM also improved its shooting vastly from its first exhibition win, an 84-74 triumph over EA Sports. The Panthers made 14-of-29 three-point shots and 20-of-23 free throws. The Panthers also outrebounded Alita 46 to 20, including 21-5 on the offensive glass.

UWM opens the regular season Nov. 17 against Concordia-St. Paul. The tipoff is set for 8 p.m.