Feb. 18, 2009

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Milwaukee Postgame Press Conference
Butler Postgame Press Conference

MILWAUKEE - James Eayrs scored 15 points to lead three players in double figures and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee held off a late Butler rally to claim a 63-60 win over the 21st-ranked Bulldogs Wednesday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers (15-11, 10-6 Horizon) led by 13 points with 8:16 remaining but made just one field goal the rest of the way.

A single free throw by Ricky Franklin pushed the UWM lead to 63-60 with 5.9 seconds to play before Zach Hahn missed a 35-footer at the buzzer. As fans stormed the court, the officials first started to leave the court but eventually returned to the scorers' table to review whether the clock started early on the Butler inbounds play. But, after viewing replays and discussing the matter on the court, the group of three said they could not make a determination from the monitor and declared the game over.

Avery Smith added 13 points, 10 rebounds and three steals for Milwaukee, which claimed its first regular season win over a ranked team. Franklin pitched-in with 11 points and seven boards.

Matt Howard scored 20 points to lead Butler, which has lost two-straight games.

UWM led by as many as eight points in the first half and by six points at the break as both teams struggled from the field. But, Eayrs and Franklin hit back-to-back three-pointers to go with a Smith basket early in the second half as Milwaukee extended its lead to 12.

The Panthers eventually led 53-40 on a three by Eayrs with 9:22 remaining, and still led 57-44 when Smith made two free throws with 8:16 left.

But, Milwaukee went cold from the field as Butler stormed back, eventually crawling within 61-60 on a three by Shelvin Mack with 1:36 remaining. A single free throw by Eayrs pushed the lead back to 62-60 with just over a minute remaining before a steal by Smith gave the ball back to the Panthers. UWM ran down the clock with Boyle missing a runner, but he got his own rebound and dumped the ball out to Franklin as the shot clock reset. He was fouled with 5.9 seconds remaining and made a single free throw, setting up the final chance for Hahn.

Milwaukee got great contributions from its bench, as Deonte Roberts had nine points and six rebounds while Jason Averkamp added eight points.

UWM, which is now 11-2 at the U.S. Cellular Arena this season, wraps up the regular season home schedule Saturday night against North Dakota State in an ESPNU BracketBusters contest.