Jan 30, 2002
Box Score
MILWAUKEE - This time, the shot came up short.
Jason Frederick missed a three-point shot with two seconds remaining, allowing Butler to hang on for a 59-58 win Wednesday night in front of a Klotsche Center record crowd of 5,015.
The Panthers (12-9, 7-2) trailed by 13 points midway through the second half but rallied to within 59-58 on a layup by Clay Tucker with 1:12 remaining. Tucker then grabbed a rebound off a missed jumper by Rylan Hainje with 16 seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a final possession. Tucker then found Frederick in the left corner for a three that nicked the front of the rim. The clock expired on the ensuing loose ball.
Butler (19-3, 6-3), led by Rylan Hainje's 18 points, moved to within a game of the first-place Panthers in the Horizon League. Idle Loyola (11-7, 6-2) is a half-game back and plays at Cleveland State Thursday.
"It looks like this is just two teams that are really going to battle," Bulldog head coach Todd Lickliter said. "We didn't expect anything different. It came down to a single possession again. We know how they feel. The shoe was on the other foot last time."
Tucker scored 19 and Ronnie Jones added 11 for the Panthers, who nearly pulled off a second comeback win in the last 11 days against Butler.
"A great comeback," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said of the 19-7 run the Panthers made over the final 9:58 of the game. "It's a trademark of our basketball team. No lead is safe."
Pearl and Tucker agreed the final seconds on offense for UWM went basically according to plan.
"We had the play that we wanted," Tucker said. "I got the rebound. We got the look we wanted. The ball just didn't fall this time. The ball was supposed to be in my hands, and I was supposed to shoot or find the open man."
Frederick, who had hit three of his five three-point tries entering his final opportunity, said he had a good look at the basket.
"I had a great look at the rim," Frederick said. "I just missed the shot, plain and simple."
Butler took control of the game in the first half by making eight of its first 12 three-point shots. The Bulldogs carried a 12-point lead into the locker room thanks to a three by Hainje with 1:26 remaining. The Panthers then launched their comeback in part by improving their perimeter defense, as Butler missed its final 10 three-point tries.
"We did a much better job in the second half in covering the way we should have in the first half," Pearl said.
Pearl also noted the amazing support that swelled for the Panthers entering the game and grew in volume during the final 10 minutes of the game.
"I'm thankful for the environment tonight," Pearl said. "It was our biggest game of the year and I'm appreciative the people came out to support us."
UWM returns to action Monday, traveling to Loyola to face the Ramblers. The men's game will follow a women's game between the Panthers and Ramblers, and should tip off close to 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are available at the UWM Ticket Office by calling 414-229-5886.
