MILWAUKEE - Clay Tucker scored 24 points and blocked a game-winning three point attempt to lead the No. 2 seed University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a 75-73 victory over the No. 3 seed University of Illinois-Chicago in the second Horizon League Tournament semifinal here Saturday (Mar. 8). With the win, Milwaukee (23-7) advances to the Tournament Championship game Tuesday (Mar. 11) versus No. 1 seed Butler University. The appearance in the tourney title game will be the first in the history of the Milwaukee basketball program. Meanwhile, with the loss, UIC will await a possible postseason berth with a 21-8 record.

UIC streaked out to a quick start, grabbing a 12-4 lead with 15:35 left on the first half clock. The Flames kept the lead in between four and seven points over the next six minutes before the Panthers used a 9-0 run, capped by back-to-back treys by Ronnie Jones, to grab their first lead of the game with 7:33 remaining in the half. Two Aaron Carr free throws put UIC back ahead but 12 points by Tucker over the last seven minutes propelled UWM to a 40-36 halftime cushion.

UWM took a six point lead, its largest of the second half, at the 17:08 mark on a Nate Mielke layin, before the Flames chipped away at the lead. UIC finally took the lead, 51-49, with 12:52 left on the clock when Jonathan Schneiderman made his fourth three-pointer of the game. The Flames surged ahead and took their own six point lead, 66-60, with 5:45 left to play on a Kyle Kickert free throw. After a free throw by Mielke and a UIC turnover, Milwaukee drew within one when Clay Tucker converted on a five-point possession. Tucker, who was fouled on a three-point shot, hit two of three free throws but then hit both free ones when Bailey was whistled for a technical foul.

The two teams battled back and forth before Dylan Page tied the game at 72 with two free throws with 2:32 remaining. After a Kickert charity toss, Page converted an alley-oop layup to go up one, 74-73. The Panthers then got a stop and Tucker hit one of two free throws to push UWM ahead 75-73 with :19 remaining. UIC had one last shot but Armond Williams' jumper missed and richocheted out-of-bounds. On the insuing inbounds play, Aaron Carr launched a three-ball from the right corner, only to see Tucker block it out of play as time expired.

In addition to Tucker, UWM placed three other players in double figures as Page and Jones added 22 and 16, respectively, while Mielke added 10. Carr led UIC with 16 points while Schneiderman added 15 on 5-5 shooting from downtown. Tuesday's game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Arena in downtown Milwaukee.