Jan. 29, 2007

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MILWAUKEE - Avery Smith scored 17 points and Allan Hanson added 13, including the go-ahead basket in overtime, to give the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a 57-56 victory over Cleveland State Monday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Milwaukee (8-16, 5-6 Horizon) never trailed in the game but found itself in overtime after losing a 12-point first-half lead and another eight-point lead in the second half.

But, Hanson hit a three to start overtime and UWM by as many as five in the extra session before withstanding late shots by Bahaadar Russell and Raheem Moss that would have won the game for the Vikings (8-15, 2-8).

Russell had 20 points to lead CSU, which won at UIC on Saturday but could not claim a second-straight road victory.

The Panthers, meanwhile, pulled out the win while playing their third game in five days, including two overtime contests.

"I thought they wore us down and we definitely had too many turnovers down the stretch," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "We allowed some things to happen that shouldn't have because we had too many turnovers down the stretch."

UWM looked like it might be pulling away when Roman Gentry hit a three with 10:29 remaining to give the Panthers a 38-30 lead. But, CSU scored the next seven points and eventually tied the game at 45 with 2:57 remaining. The Panthers reclaimed a 47-45 lead just 26 seconds later but neither team would break through again until a pair of Victor Morris free throws tied the game with 30 seconds left. Milwaukee then turned the ball over in its final possession.

The Panthers had led by as many as 12 points in the first half but could not pull away as both teams struggled from the field.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Hanson and Ryan Thornton gave UWM a 17-5 lead with 6:45 remaining in the half. But, the Vikings pulled back to within 21-13 on a layin by Russell before and a layup by Patrick Tatham with 37 seconds remaining pulled the Vikings to within 23-18 at the half.

UWM returns to action Saturday against nationally-ranked Butler. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST.