Jan. 24, 2002
Box Score
MILWAUKEE - Ronnie Jones scored 26 points as UWM overcame a sluggish start to claim a 78-69 win over Cleveland State Thursday night at the Klotsche Center.
With the win, the Panthers (11-8, 6-1 Horizon League) move into a first-place tie with idle Loyola. UWM has won four-straight games, its longest winning streak since the 1992-93 season.
Jones scored the final 11 points of the first half to help turn a 28-23 deficit into a 40-35 halftime edge for the Panthers. UWM then led by as many as 13 points in the second half and Cleveland State got no closer than six points down the stretch.
"At the end of the half I took control of the game a little bit," Jones said. "I got some open looks and was fortunate to knock down the shots."
"I love scoring point guards," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said of Jones. "I think they put so much pressure of the defense."
UWM collected 18 offensive rebounds and outrebounded its opponent for the sixth time in seven games. The Panthers also forced 19 Cleveland State turnovers and the Panther defense held the Vikings to just 41 percent shooting from the field.
"We made a run a couple of times and they bounced right back," Cleveland State head coach Rollie Massimino said. "I'm very surprised at that number (the 18 offensive rebounds). That shows they really went after it."
Cleveland State was led by Jermaine Robinson's 17 points, while Theo Dixon added 14 and Jamaal Harris collected 12.
Two other Panthers each wound up just shy of double-doubles, as Clay Tucker scored 13 points and had nine rebounds while Justin Lettenberger added 12 points and nine rebounds. Tucker's performance came in just 29 minutes - the lowest tally in recent games for the junior - and despite the fact he did not practice during the week after having a root canal Tuesday and suffering a ruptured eardrum Wednesday.
"I thought Clay was really smart with his minutes tonight," Pearl said. "He wasn't concerned with his numbers. He was just concerned with getting the win."
UWM returns to action Saturday night, hosting Detroit in a 7 p.m. contest.
