Dec. 1, 2004

Box Score |  Quotes

MILWAUKEE - Ed McCants scored 19 points to lead five Panthers in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee moved to 4-0 for the first time in 12 years with an 89-54 win over South Dakota State Wednesday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Boo Davis added 18 points and Adrian Tigert 13 for UWM, while Joah Tucker and Chris Hill tossed in 11 points apiece. The Panthers forced 22 Jackrabbit turnovers, leading to 36 points.

Luke Geiver scored 14 points and Steve Holdren added 13 for the Jackrabbits (1-4), who had lost to Manhattan by just four points and UIC by just 14.

The Panthers won easily in what appeared to be a game that could be overlooked, coming three days after a big win over NCAA qualifier Air Force and three days ahead of an early Horizon League showdown at UIC. UWM led by as many as 29 points in the first half and never looked back.

UWM is off to its best start since the 1992-93 season, when it began the year 8-0. The Panthers have also won their first four games by an average of more than 34 points per game.

"I thought our team did a good job of preparing for South Dakota State," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said. "I think tonight you have to look at what our full-court press can do to our opponents. In the half-court it could be an even game but, over 94 feet, we thought we might be able to force some tempo and some turnovers."

UWM was effective on the offensive end for the fourth-straight game, shooting 51.5 percent from the field. The Panther defense also was strong, limiting the Jackrabbits to just 40 percent shooting.

The Panthers again dominated the first 20 minutes. After trailing 6-5 at the 17:59 mark, UWM scored 12 of the next 15 points to grab a 17-8 lead. The advantage hit double-digits for good at 25-14 on a three-point basket by Davis with 9:26 remaining. That three sparked a 12-0 run that made it 34-14 Panthers with 6:18 left in the half.

A layup by Davis pushed the advantage to 40-16 and five-straight points by McCants made the score 47-18 late in the half.

UWM quickly expanded its lead to 32 points on a layup by Tucker a minute into the second half and the lead never dropped below 29 the rest of the way.

Saturday's game, which will be televised live on WMLW in Milwaukee, tips off at 7 p.m.