Dec. 6, 2002

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Jason Frederick had 18 points, all on three-pointers, as UWM defeated Florida International, 61-48, Friday night in the opening game of the SMS/Pizza Hut Classic in Springfield, Mo. Frederick went 6-8 from beyond the arc to account for his point total on the night. Clay Tucker chipped in with 14 points and Justin Lettenberger had 10 for the Panthers. Fab Fisher had 11 points to lead FIU.

After starting the first five minutes without a field goal, the UWM offense started clicking on all cylinders, as seven different Panthers scored in the first half, led by Jason Frederick's 12 points. Frederick hit a three-pointer from near midcourt at the buzzer to give UWM a 11-point lead, 31-20.

"Jason Frederick continues to play inspired basketball," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "Besides going 6-8 from three-point range, he shut down their top scorer (Junior Matias)."

The Milwaukee defense also stepped up in the first half, as UWM gave up just six points in the final nine minutes of the period. For the game, the Panthers held FIU to just 32.6 percent shooting and forced 31 turnovers.

"Our defensive effort was outstanding," Pearl said. "To hold a team to 32 percent and to force that many turnovers, that's a testament to our effort on that end of the floor."

One down note for the Panthers was the loss of starting guard Ronnie Jones. Jones suffered a sprained right ankle late in the second half and is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.

"It's a tough loss, to lose a second-team all-league player," Pearl said. "Jose Winston will get the start, and he'll have to step it up. We'll be in good hands with him, and Chris Hill, who we were trying to redshirt. He'll have to be called into action."

The Panthers advance to the championship game of the Pizza Hut Classic, and will face the host Bears of Southwest Missouri State, 80-49 winners over Samford in Friday's second game. Saturday's tip will be at approximately 8:30 p.m. CST.