Dec. 3, 2009

Box Score |  Quotes Bidlingmyer Postgame Interview |  Audio Highlights

MILWAUKEE - Ricky Franklin and Tony Meier each scored 14 points to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team grind out a 57-52 victory over UIC Thursday night in the Horizon League opener for both teams. The Panthers (6-2, 1-0 Horizon League) kept trying to put the game away late, only to see the Flames (1-4, 0-1 Horizon League) stay close until the final minute.

Deonte Roberts chipped in with six points, eight rebounds and four assists. Kris Harris scored a game-high 15 points to pace UIC, while Brad Birton was also in double-figures with 10.

"We'll take wins," Panther head coach Rob Jeter said. "We understand that we can play a little bit better than that. We understand that we can make shots. We just have to prove that we can do that and we get another opportunity on Saturday. Defense wins games for you and it definitely won it for us tonight. A team scores 52 points, shoots 35 percent ... that usually gets you a win, not just a five-point win."

Up 53-50 with just over two minutes to play, Jason Averkamp came up with two offensive rebounds to help the Panthers run time off the clock. After a free throw and UIC basket made it 54-52, Averkamp came through again when he made both free throws after getting fouled. He wasn't done there, as he also blocked the next UIC shot attempt to close it out.

The defense played well all night, limiting the Flames to 35 percent (21-for-60) from the floor, including an 0-for-14 showing from three-point range.

After taking a 43-34 lead with just over 10 minutes to play, the Panthers saw the Flames climb back into the game and pull back within two at 46-44 on a jumper by Robo Kreps at the 5:27 mark.

UWM then used a key run to take charge, as Jerard Ajami made a layup before Tony Meier capped a 7-0 run with a three-pointer and a fast break lay-in just seconds later that made it 53-44.

Milwaukee has now won six straight games on the year and claimed a victory in its league opener for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons. The 6-2 mark through eight games is the best for UWM since a 6-2 start in the 2004-05 campaign.

The Panthers continue the homestand with another league game Saturday, welcoming Loyola to the U.S. Cellular Arena for a 7 p.m. start.