Jan. 24, 2004

Box Score

DETROIT - Joah Tucker scored 26 points and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee handed Detroit its worst home loss since 1994 in an 85-68 win Saturday afternoon at Calihan Hall in front of a regionally-televised audience.

The Panthers (13-5, 8-0 Horizon) have won seven-straight games entering a first-place showdown Tuesday at Wright State.

Dylan Page added 21 and Ed McCants 19 for the Panthers.

Willie Wallace led the Titans (9-8. 3-4) with 23 points.

Detroit cut UWM's lead to 41-38 early in the second half before the Panthers exploded, scoring 19 of the next 21 points to build a 60-40 lead with 14:26 remaining in the game. UWM then led by as many as 22 points down the stretch.

The Panthers shot 59.2 percent from the field, knocking down 29-of-49 shots. UWM also forced 16 turnovers while limiting the Titans to just 44.6 percent shooting from the field.

After an even opening five minutes, the Panthers ran out to a 21-11 lead thanks to an 8-0 burst capped by a McCants dunk off a steal. The lead still 23-13 with 10:39 remaining in the half before the Titans struck back, scoring 13 of the next 17 points to pull within 27-26 with 4:21 remaining.

But the Panthers countered quickly to control the remainder of the half. Seven-straight points by Tucker pushed the lead to 37-28 with 2:24 left and UWM led by as many as 11 points late in the half before the Titans pulled to within 39-32 at the break.