Feb. 4, 2006

Box Score |  Notes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Joah Tucker scored 26 points and three Panthers reached double figures in rebounds but the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee suffered a 63-60 overtime loss at Butler Saturday afternoon.

The defensive struggle featured 13 ties and 20 lead changes and was extended to overtime after Butler's A.J. Graves hit a three-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining.

Brandon Polk led Butler (14-8, 7-3 Horizon) with 18 points while Brandon Crone added 15 and Graves 13.

Tucker added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season, while Adrian Tigert also had a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jason McCoy pitched in with eight points and 10 boards.

The win by the Bulldogs adds luster to the final three weeks of the regular season in the Horizon League. Both teams now have three losses, though UWM has two more wins than Butler. Milwaukee finishes its year with three home games and one road contest, while Butler has three home games and three away contests.

The thrilling game was played in front of 7,101 fans on Alumni Day at Hinkle Fieldhouse. It featured gutsy efforts by both sides in what has become one of the most entertaining rivalries in college basketball, pitting the top two programs in the Horizon League.

But, calls and non-calls were a hot topic of conversation after the game. After Butler was called for six team fouls in the first nine minutes of the second half, the Bulldogs were whistled for just three more in the final 11 minutes of regulation and five minutes of overtime. This came despite the Panthers holding an incredible 47-23 rebounding edge, including 18 offensive boards, and an astounding 50-22 edge on points in the paint.

UWM's final chance to win the game in overtime came with the Panthers down 61-60 and in possession of the ball after a missed shot by Avery Sheets with 19 seconds remaining. The Panthers threw the ball into the post to Tucker, who tried to drive but wound up on the floor after contact with numerous Butler players. Officials ruled the play a jump ball, and the possession arrow gave the ball to Butler. Polk then made two free throws with 5.3 seconds left to account for the final margin.

"My guys did everything I asked them to do," Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter said. "They played hard and through adversity. We got the ball in the post and we get to the point where we could shoot free throws and we don't. If you are going to tell me, the way that I've been taught the game of basketball, the way I played the game of basketball, that for 15 minutes and 42 seconds, that any team I've been associated with does not get more than three fouls called for them, and we touched the post every time ... it was hard for me to come up the steps (from the locker room)."

In the overtime period, neither team scored until a layup by Tucker gave the Panthers a 58-56 lead with 2:50 remaining. Graves tied the game with a basket and a conventional three-point play by Crone made it 61-58 Butler with 1:18 remaining. Tucker made two free throws with 51 seconds remaining to bring the Panthers within a point and then, after Milwaukee got a stop to get the ball back, the ball went into the post to Tucker before the officials called the disputed jump ball.

The two teams played an even first 20 minutes, with Butler holding a one-point halftime edge. Then, each team could claim no more than a three-point lead during the second half of the seesaw affair. The final five minutes of the second half were no different, as the Bulldogs claimed a 49-46 lead with 4:34 remaining but the Panthers answered to take a 50-49 lead with 3:30 left.

Butler's final lead in regulation came with 55 seconds left when Crone made one-of-two free throws. Tucker then answered with two free throws with 38 seconds left and, after a missed Butler shot, McCoy dunked with nine seconds remaining to extend the lead to three. But, that set the stage for the shot by Graves and the overtime period.

"The young man that hit the three - it was a great shot," Jeter said. "We were right there, we didn't come off of him, and he makes it."

UWM finally returns home after four-straight road games, hosting Youngstown State Thursday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The game is part of a doubleheader with the women and tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m.