Feb. 8, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Clay Tucker scored 23 points to lead four Panthers in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earned an 86-69 win over Cleveland State Saturday night at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (18-5, 9-2 Horizon) won for the fifth-straight time overall and for the 11th-straight time at home in moving into sole possession of second-place in the Horizon League.

Tucker just missed a double-double in collecting nine assists while also adding six rebounds. He scored 21 of his points in the first half as UWM built a 21-point lead in the first 16 minutes.

Dylan Page added 15 points in just 19 minutes of action while Jason Frederick had 12 points and Nate Mielke 11 for the Panthers, who emptied the bench late in the game in easing to their 16th with in their last 19 games.

Pape Badiane scored 21 points and Jermaine Robinson added 20 for the Vikings (7-16, 2-8), who lost for the seventh-straight time.

"Our guys really came to play," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said. "This is a grueling stretch for us with five games in 10 days. I thought our guys came out really focused and played well."

The Panthers shot 60 percent in the first half and made 8-of-9 from three-point range. An alley-oop dunk by Tucker on a pass from Frederick made it 38-19 with 7:12 remaining and a jumper by Tucker with 5:40 remaining made it 43-23. After UWM's lead hit 46-25 on a three by Dan Weisse with 4:27 remaining, Cleveland State would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

"I made a few shots early that got me going," Tucker said. "I was more aggressive off the dribble on the break. I was trying to make things happen tonight."

"When Clay needs to score, he scores," Pearl said. "He was in position for a triple-double tonight if the game had been closer. Clay is a very unselfish player and he likes to set his teammates up."

The Panthers, who host UW-Green Bay Monday night at the Klotsche Center, also were able to gain valuable rest for some starters in the second half. Along with Page playing just 19 minutes, Jones played just 23 minutes and Frederick just 27. Twelve different players saw action for UWM.

"I felt like we had a commanding lead and there was no reason to make matters worse," Pearl said. "We did not press in the second half and the pace slowed down."

For the second-straight night, UWM held an edge on the boards, this time outrebounding Cleveland State, 32-20, including 13-6 on the offensive end.

Monday night's contest with UW-Green Bay begins at 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers then close out their home schedule Thursday night with UIC.