Feb. 11, 2006

Box Score |  Notes

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Joah Tucker and Boo Davis scored 17 points apiece as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed an 86-57 win over Cleveland State Saturday afternoon at the Wolstein Center.

The Panthers (18-6, 11-3 Horizon) led by 17 points at halftime and then by as many as 31 in the second half en route to the win in their final road game of the regular season.

Adrian Tigert added 16 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double in his last five outings. UWM again dominated inside, scoring 48 points in the paint.

Ije Nwankwo led Cleveland State (8-15, 4-9) with 11 points, but the Vikings shot just 29.8 percent for the game and committed 22 turnovers.

Milwaukee's win, combined with Butler's loss at Wright State, moves the Panthers to within one win or one more Bulldog loss of clinching at least a share of its third-straight Horizon League title. Any combination of UWM wins or Butler losses that adds up to two would give the Panthers the outright title and hosting rights for the league tournament.

"We knew it was going to be physical and it was going to be one of those games where, mentally, we were going to have to stay tough," Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter said. "We just had to move the basketball. We just had to take care of ourselves and stay committed to playing the game the way we wanted to play.

"We want to touch the post, and I was pleased with the way our guys stuck to the game plan."

Milwaukee took control of the game in the first seven minutes, building a 22-10 lead with 12:32 remaining in the half. CSU did pull back within five at 24-19 with 9:48 left, but the Panthers quickly countered with a 9-2 run to rebuild a 33-21 lead with 7:12 left.

UWM then pushed its advantage even further with another 9-2 burst. Layups by Tigert, Tucker and Avery Smith, plus a three-pointer by Allan Hanson, made it 48-28 with 1:17 to play in the half.

The Panthers then wasted little time in pulling even further ahead in the second half. Milwaukee went ahead 62-39 on a basket by Tucker and then back-to-back threes by Davis pushed the lead to 70-39 with 9:29 left. UWM then substituted liberally the remainder of the game in claiming its second-straight blowout win.

Tigert did leave the game midway through the second half after falling hard to the floor while trying to block a shot.

Milwaukee was again efficient on offense, shooting 50 percent from the field while getting 25 points from its bench. All 15 players dressed for the game play, with 13 of them scoring.

UWM returns to action Wednesday night, hosting UIC at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The game tips off at 7 p.m.