Feb. 6, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Dylan Page scored 19 points to lead three Panthers in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed a 61-50 win over Detroit Thursday night at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers built a 16-point halftime lead and led by as many as 21 in the second half before cruising to their 10th straight home win.

With the win, UWM (17-5, 8-2 Horizon) moved three games ahead of the Titans (11-9, 5-5) for an all-important top three finish in the Horizon League. The Panthers are assured of hosting the Horizon League Basketball Championship at the U.S. Cellular Arena by finishing in the top three of the league standings. UWM also stayed in the mix with a three-team group at the top of the league table that includes Butler (7-1) and UIC (9-2)

Clay Tucker added 16 points and Ronnie Jones 11 for the Panthers, who shot nearly 52 percent from the field in the first half while turning the ball over just four times. UWM then shot just 35 percent in the second half while turning the ball over 14 times.

"Clearly this game was a tale of two halves," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We came ready to play. Detroit came in as the hottest team in the league. The kids were terrific in the first half - some great defense and very intelligent offense. In the second half, Detroit just made it very difficult for us to score.

"I thought the first half was one of the best halves of the year because of the opponent."

Willie Green led Detroit with 23 points, while Terrell Riggs and Elijah Warren added eight points apiece.

The Panthers, who have suffered from a huge rebounding disadvantage throughout the last six games, held a 38-25 edge on the glass, including a 12-8 edge on the offensive end.

"The rebounding was a factor," Pearl said. "We certainly focused on it. I thought they physically stepped it up tonight."

UWM never trailed after a three-pointer by Jones gave the Panthers an 8-6 lead. The lead hit 24-12 on a three by Tucker and eventually grew to 34-16 on a layin by Page. The lead peaked at 51-30 following two free throws by Page with 10:18 remaining in the game and the final margin of 11 points was as close as the Titans could come.

"We stressed defense," Tucker said. "We knew Willie Green was a scoring machine. We felt if we controlled him on the perimeter and Terrell Riggs on the blocks, we'd be in pretty good shape."

"They're a good team," Detroit head coach Perry Watson said. "If you give them that kind of a lead and let them shoot the way they did, it's going to be very difficult."

The Panthers continue a busy stretch of five games in 10 days by hosting Cleveland State Saturday night at the Klotsche Center. The game tips off at 7 p.m.