Nov. 28, 2004

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MILWAUKEE - Joah Tucker scored 17 points as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee used an 11-1 run late in the game to claim a 50-45 win over Air Force Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers (3-0) trailed 36-35 with 5:07 remaining following a pair of free throws by Nick Welch. But UWM, sparked by six-straight points from Tucker, scored 11 of the next 12 points over a four-minute span to build a 46-37 edge with 1:02 left. UWM held on from there, making four free throws in the final 62 seconds.

Ed McCants added 14 points and Adrian Tigert 10 for the Panthers, who avenged a 22-point loss at Air Force a year ago.

Welch scored 14 points and Antoine Hood added 13 for the Falcons (4-2), who were receiving votes in the Associated Press poll and reached the NCAA Tournament a season ago.

The game was a battle of styles, with Air Force entering the contest fourth in the nation in defense while UWM started the day second in the nation in offense. Air Force's style won out, but UWM's defense helped give the Panthers one of the biggest non-league wins in head coach Bruce Pearl's career at UWM.

"It's a great win for the program," Pearl said. "The players get all of the credit. They paid very close attention to the scouting report. We are known for playing harder than most people. I thought tonight we made a big step in showing we can also play harder."

The deciding run for the Panthers started after UWM let a 33-24 lead slip away. The advantage hit that high point on a layup by James Wright with 12:55 remaining. The Falcons then methodically got back in the game, holding the Panthers scoreless for more than six minutes before eventually claiming the lead on the two Welch free throws.

But Tucker took control of the game from there. After a McCants jumper gave the Panthers the lead for good at 37-36 with 4:44 remaining, Tucker scored on two layups and a short jumper to help UWM put the game away.

UWM never trailed in the first half and held onto the lead after breaking a 5-all tie with a Tucker jumper at the 16:24 mark. The Panthers built an 11-6 lead on a McCants jumper but the Falcons responded, pulling within 13-12 on a three-point basket by Hood.

After the Panthers again rebuilt a five-point advantage, Air Force pulled to within 20-19 on a Welch three with 4:04 left. The Falcons didn't score again from there, though, and the Panthers added a three-point play by Tigert and a free throw by Tucker to carry a 24-19 lead into the locker room.

UWM returns to action Wednesday night, hosting South Dakota State at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The contest tips off at 7 p.m.