Dec. 21, 2005

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Boo Davis scored 20 points to lead three players in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed an 83-60 win over Oakland University Wednesday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Joah Tucker added 15 points and Adrian Tigert 11 for the Panthers (6-3), who have won five of their last six games.

Calvin Wooten led Oakland (4-5) with 28 points.

Some of the Panther players were still taking final exams late Wednesday afternoon, and that may have led to a sluggish start that saw Milwaukee fall down 18-9. But, the Panthers used a 31-9 first-half run to take control of the game before scoring 17 of the first 21 points of the second half to make the game a rout. In all, Milwaukee turned the early deficit into a 57-30 lead with a 49-12 run.

Milwaukee's defensive pressure was key again, as the Panthers forced 22 turnovers while limiting Oakland to 39 percent shooting from the field.

"You look at them and you are hesitant to press them because of their guard play," Milwaukee coach Rob Jeter said of Oakland. "You are hesitant to give them easy shots in transition. But I am committed to the press and committed to how these guys are willing to get back and defend, and we forced some turnovers and took them out of rhythm. The full-court pressure had a lot to do with that."

Davis was also a spark offensively again, knocking in 5-of-10 from three-point range while recording his fifth game of 20 or more points.

"The last couple of games I've been feeling great," Davis said. "I think now I'm in rhythm and my shots are in rhythm. I just try to come in and help us get the `W' however I can, and tonight I felt great."

The Panthers recovered from the slow start to build a 13-point halftime lead. It was Oakland that came out of the gates quickly, jumping to leads of 9-2, 16-7 and 18-9. But Milwaukee scored 10-straight points to claim a 19-18 lead and took the lead for good at 22-20 on a three-pointer by Chris Hill.

UWM was far from done in the first half, though. A three by Davis pushed the edge to 25-20 and an alley-oop dunk from Davis to Kevin Massiah made it 31-23. Davis then finished the half with a flurry, scoring UWM's final seven points on a pair of threes and a free throw to give the Panthers a 40-27 lead at the break.

The Panthers then started the second half quickly, as Davis and Hill combined for 10 quick points to push the lead to 50-28. Then, a three-pointer by Allan Hanson and a tip-in by Mark Pancratz made it 57-30 with 13:32 left, and UWM was never threatened after that in leading by as many as 29 points.

The Panthers will have only a short rest during the holidays before heading west for a pair of games. Milwaukee plays at Wyoming Dec. 27 and at Montana Dec. 30. Both games can be heard on WOKY (AM 920), while the Wyoming game can also be seen on WMLW.