Feb. 21, 2004

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee nearly overcame a 21-point second half deficit before falling, 83-76, to Manhattan College in ESPN's Bracket Buster Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers (17-9) trailed 60-39 with 12:57 to play and were still down 72-55 with 4:14 left. But UWM went on a 21-7 run over the next three-plus minutes to pull within 79-76 with 33 seconds remaining. Luis Flores then hit two free throws to restore a five-point advantage and UWM did not score on its next possession, ending hopes of a miracle comeback.

Flores led the Jaspers (22-4) with 27 points and was one of four players in double figures for Manhattan. Dylan Page led UWM with 25 points while Ed McCants added 20.

Manhattan, an NCAA Tournament team from a season ago, shot 56.6 percent from the field and made nine three-point shots.

"We got outplayed by a good basketball team," UWM head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We were not sharp. I give Manhattan credit for that but we need to be accountable. We had too many unforced turnovers and we did not play good team defense.

"We're capable of playing the kind of basketball that we played in the last 10 minutes. I think we got a pretty good idea of what we need to do."

It wasn't until late in the game that UWM recovered after falling behind 23-10 to start the game. The Panthers were within nine at 44-35 late in the first half, but a three-point basket by Peter Mulligan at the buzzer gave the Jaspers a 12-point lead in the locker room.

The Panthers then missed 13 of their first 15 shots of the second half as Manhattan pulled away.

"I thought it was a great victory for our team," Manhattan head coach Bobby Gonzales said. "It had a lot of importance for us. We knew they were tough to beat at home."

UWM takes a week off before closing out the regular season Feb. 28 against Cleveland State. The Panthers will likely need a win to claim the outright Horizon League regular season title.