Jan. 31, 2009

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Milwaukee Postgame Press Conference
UIC Postgame Press Conference
Watch The Game-Winning Shot

MILWAUKEE - Deion James hit a three-pointer as time expired to complete a stunning comeback as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed a 63-62 win over UIC Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers (14-8, 9-3 Horizon) trailed by 18 points in the first half and by 10 points with 1:27 remaining before pulling out the win.

The final shot came after Kris Harris missed two free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining. Tony Meier grabbed the rebound, Ricky Franklin pushed the ball up the court and found James, who buried a three from the wing as the buzzer sounded.

Meier put together his best game as a collegian, as the freshman scored 17 points to go with 16 rebounds. Tone Boyle also had 17 points for Milwaukee, while James Eayrs had seven points and 10 rebounds.

But in the end, the senior reserve guard from Milwaukee had a moment to remember.

"Ricky's known for hitting a lot of clutch shots, so Tone and I were going to get to the corners and just come up if he didn't have anything," James said. "After Tony got the rebound I just tried to run in my lane and then Rick just found me.

"After I shot it, everything felt like it was in slow motion. It seemed like the ball was in the air for a long time. When it went through, I really just wanted to play it cool."

The comeback allowed Milwaukee to escape in spite of 31.9 percent shooting from the field and an 8-of-15 effort from the foul line.

"I am just so proud that we were able to hang in there. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to get it done," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "The guys just kept fighting, making the extra pass. We were trying to get it into the paint, and just trying to do all of the things I know we needed to do to attack that zone. We did enough ... we did just enough."

The shot by James was one of four 3's in the final 80 seconds by the Panthers, who were just 7-of-33 from beyond the arc before that point. Boyle hit a pair from long range before Meier hit one to pull Milwaukee within 62-60 with 41.8 seconds remaining.

After Harris missed two free throws a second later, the Panthers ran down the clock before Boyle missed a runner that would have tied the game. The rebound went out of bounds with 6.2 seconds left, and the Panthers fouled Harris as the ball was inbounded. That led to the final pair of missed free throws and the thrilling conclusion.

Tori Boyd had 23 points to lead UIC (10-11, 3-8), which played without leading scorer Josh Mayo and used just five players most of the night. UIC didn't do itself any favors in the closing moments, making just 2-of-10 from the line over the final 1:27.

The first half was a nightmare for the Panthers, as UIC built a 31-13 lead with under five minutes to play. Milwaukee did pull within 35-21 at halftime and quickly cut the lead under double digits to start the second half. But, until the run at the end, Milwaukee was never able to get closer than six points.

UWM will have week off before making the trip up I-43 to Green Bay Saturday night. The game between the Panthers and Phoenix will start at 7 p.m. and can be seen live on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 in Milwaukee.