Jan. 22, 2009

Box Score Milwaukee Postgame Press Conference

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Jake Diebler scored 19 points and Valparaiso University put together an astounding 26-0 run to claim a 63-51 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Thursday night at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The burst started after UWM led by as many as 12 points in the early going. But, after a James Eayrs layin restored a double-digit lead for Milwaukee at 28-17, the Crusaders scored the next 26 points.

In all, the run included the final four minutes of the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half.

From there, Milwaukee would never get closer than eight points.

Even when they built their early lead, the Panthers struggled to find their rhythm on offense. UWM wound up with a season-high 20 turnovers and shot just 29.4 percent from the floor.

Tone Boyle scored 15 points, Eayrs added 14 and Deonte Roberts pitched-in with 12 for Milwaukee (12-7, 7-2 Horizon), which lost for just the third time in its last 12 outings.

"Turnovers were huge," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "We didn't shoot the ball well, but that had a lot to do with Valpo. They really did a nice job defensively and kept us off balance, but we didn't help ourselves with the turnovers, either."

Things looked good in the early going for the Panthers, who in spite of a rash of turnovers built a 26-14 lead on a third 3-pointer by Eayrs. But, after Eayrs answered a Diebler three with a layin, the wheels came off for Milwaukee.

The Crusaders scored 14-straight points to end the half, claiming a 31-28 lead at the break. Urule Igbavboa played a huge role in the run, scoring his first six points of the night. And, Diebler hit a pair of threes during the burst to give him five from long distance at the half.

VU then carried that momentum into the early minutes of the second half, scoring the first 12 points of the stanza. UWM did pull back within 43-34 on a short run sparked by Roberts and got within 54-46 on a three-pointer from Boyle with 4:30 remaining. Milwaukee then had possession and a chance to get closer, but committed a pair of turnovers as Valpo scored four-straight points to seal the win.

"Defensively I thought we did a decent enough job to give us opportunities and have a chance, but we made some critical mistakes - easy layups and things at the end really cost us," Jeter said.

UWM will continue its weekend road swing through Indiana Saturday with a game at nationally-ranked Butler. The contest tips off at 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST and will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports 32.