Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Paige Paulsen and Ricky Franklin scored 16 points apiece and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee tallied a 45-31 rebounding edge to claim a 68-53 win over Loyola Thursday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

With the win, the Panthers (14-14, 9-8 Horizon) clinched no worse than a tie for fourth place in the league standings and a home game in the first round of the league tournament.

Milwaukee did it without starting senior Marcus Skinner, who was sidelined by a high ankle sprain.

Allan Hanson added 13 points for the Panthers while Jason Averkamp had nine points and nine rebounds.

J.R. Blount led Loyola (11-17. 6-11) with 14 points.

For Milwaukee, the idea of finishing exactly where it was picked in the league standings despite the loss of five scholarship players throughout the year is something to savor.

"It is really these guys," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "They really play hard for each other. At times we have been worn down and beat up, but we've risen to the occasion."

Most impressive tonight was the manner in which the Panthers put the game away. After Loyola cut the Milwaukee lead to a point 16:22 to play, UWM scored 13-straight points to essentially put the game away.

"We've just been trying to get to that finish and tonight we were able to do exactly that," Jeter said. "We never let them take the lead. We were, for 40 minutes, able to hold on to something."

Milwaukee started the game quickly, bolting to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game. The lead was still 21-11 at the 9:45 mark on a three-pointer by Franklin and was 24-15 after another Franklin three.

Loyola cut into the lead from there, pulling within 24-22 and again back to within 29-27. But, a layup by Franklin with under a minute to play pushed Milwaukee to a four-point lead at the break.

After UWM rebuilt its lead to nine early in the second half, the Ramblers scored eight-straight points to pull within 38-37. Milwaukee responded immediately, though, with three-pointers by Paulsen and Hansen sparking a 13-0 run and a 51-37 lead. Loyola never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

The Panthers will wrap up the regular season Saturday night, hosting UIC in a 7 p.m. contest at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The day also features the annual Alumni Game at 4 p.m. and festivities honoring the three Panther seniors prior to tipoff.