March 20, 2004

Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho - Dylan Page scored 23 points and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee trimmed a 16-point second half deficit to one, but Boise State hung on for a 73-70 win Saturday night in a first round NIT contest at the Idaho Center.

Ed McCants added 14 points and Adrian Tigert had seven points and a career-best 16 rebounds, but UWM (20-11) could not overcome a Bronco team buoyed by a crowd of 10,153.

Aaron Haynes had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boise State (23-9), which has won nine of its last 10 contests.

UWM trailed 53-37 with 16:21 remaining in the game but trimmed the deficit to two at 58-56 with 8:32 left on a basket by Page and, after falling back down by seven, pulled within one at 71-70 on a three by McCants with 29 seconds left. But, Coby Karl hit two free throws with 13 seconds remaining and the Panthers failed to score on their final possession.

The Panthers had trouble getting on track early, with Page picking up two fouls in the first four minutes and UWM facing an 11-5 differential on fouls in the first 20 minutes.

UWM turned the game around with defense, limiting the Broncos to just 34.6 percent in the second 20 minutes. But the Panthers couldn't defend at the foul line, where Haynes knocked in 10-of-10 attempts and the Broncos outscored the Panthers, 15-9.

Boise State advances to a second round game with Marquette Tuesday.