Jan. 30, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

CHICAGO - Adrian Tigert tied his career-high with 21 points as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed a 68-57 win over Loyola Monday night at the Gentile Center.

The Panthers (16-4, 9-1 Horizon) built a 12-point lead early in the second half and then hung tough down the stretch to claim their 12th win in 13 games.

Tigert added 12 rebounds while Chris Hill (14 points), Joah Tucker (13 points) and Boo Davis (11 points) also reached double figures offensively.

Blake Schilb led Loyola (12-8, 4-6) with 20 points.

The Panthers' lead was 43-31 after a layin by Tigert with 13:34 to play in the game. The Ramblers did fight back to within four points and were still within six with 1:31 remaining. But Davis buried a three on Milwaukee's next possession to cinch the win

"You have to give Loyola a lot of credit. For 40 minutes it was a battle," Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter said. "I was just pleased with how my guys handled it. For us, I thought the extra pass was the difference."

Milwaukee was again efficient offensively, shooting 52.2 percent in the second half and 48.1 percent for the game. The Panthers also tallied 15 assists on 26 field goals.

The Panthers built a seven-point halftime lead despite seeing Tucker and Jason McCoy both saddled with foul trouble. In fact, McCoy sat out the final 11 minutes of the half after picking up his second foul and Tucker sat the last eight minutes after doing the same.

The run that gave UWM its advantage included consecutive three-point shots by Davis, Tucker and Tigert and a conventional three-point play by Kevin Massiah. In fact, the basket and free throw by Massiah with 6:44 left in the half gave Milwaukee a 26-16 lead.

The Ramblers countered with four-straight points to pull within 26-20, but Loyola could get no closer the rest of the first half. Another three by Tigert pushed the lead back to 35-26 with 36 seconds left in the half before a follow-up basket by Brandon Woods brought the Ramblers within 35-28 at halftime.

The burst to start the second half included layups by Tucker, Avery Smith and Jason McCoy. After the Ramblers pulled within four at 47-43, a layup and jumper by Tigert extended the lead back to eight. And, after Loyola closed the gap to 56-51 with 4:05 remaining, layups by Tucker and Tigert and a free throw by Davis sent the lead back to 10.

UWM returns to action Thursday night, starting a weekend road swing in Indiana and Ohio with a contest at Wright State. The game tips off at 6 p.m. CST.