Nov. 4, 2009

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WISN Audio Highlights

MILWAUKEE - James Eayrs scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds as an injury-depleted University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team held on for a 74-72 win over Cardinal Stritch Wednesday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers played without a pair of senior guards, as Tone Boyle and Ricky Franklin were both sidelined by injury while Franklin is also completing the final steps academically in gaining another year of eligibility.

But, Milwaukee used strong play on the interior to escape. Jason Averkamp added 11 points and the Panthers scored 21 points from the foul line.

Juniors Deonte Roberts and Jerard Ajami earned starts in the backcourt and combined for 15 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Patrick Souter added five points in 21 minutes and Lonnie Boga contributed seven points and five boards in 20 minutes.

Still, Milwaukee turned the ball over 22 times and had a hard time slowing the perimeter attack of Cardinal Stritch.

Kody Braddix scored 28 points to lead the Wolves, who returned all five starters from a team that won 22 games a season ago.

Braddix had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his jumper with one foot on the three-point arc bounced away as time expired.

Cardinal Stritch led by as many as eight points in the first half, building a 23-15 lead on a jumper by Braddix. UWM scored nine in a row from there, with a three-pointer from Ajami giving Milwaukee a 24-23 lead. But Cardinal Stritch didn't go away rebuilding a 33-28 lead on a Pat Barron three before carrying a 39-34 lead into the locker room.

UWM then could never shake Stritch in the second half. The Panthers took a 67-64 lead on an Averkamp layin with 4:01 remaining, only to see a three by Brandon D'Amico tie things at 67. Milwaukee then found itself behind 70-69 on a three-point play by Braddix with 1:09 remaining, but UWM took the lead back 14 seconds later on two free throws by Averkamp and then hung on for the win.

Milwaukee will wrap up exhibition play Saturday night, facing off with UW-Parkside in a 7 p.m. contest at the U.S. Cellular Arena.