Jan. 14, 2010

Box Score
Milwaukee Postgame Audio |  Detroit Postgame Audio

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MILWAUKEE - Chase Simon scored 33 points and Detroit used a 28-5 second-half run to claim an 81-65 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Thursday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Simon had 16 points in a row during the deciding run, personally taking the score from a 43-42 UWM lead to a 58-46 Detroit advantage.

Milwaukee led 41-34 early in the second half, but when Xavier Keeling converted on an inside basket with 9:15 remaining, Detroit had pulled out to a 62-46 lead.

Ricky Franklin scored 22 points to lead Milwaukee (10-8, 2-4 Horizon), which shot just 30.5 percent from the floor and made just six baskets in the second half.

In fact, UWM missed 16-straight shots from the field at one point, eventually trailing by as many as 21 points.

Simon added 12 rebounds for a double-double, while Xavier Keeling had 20 points and Eli Holman 15 for Detroit (12-6, 5-2).

Franklin was the only Panther player in double figures, as James Eayrs and Anthony Hill added nine points apiece.

"If you can't make shots, it's very difficult to win basketball games," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "We go up seven, and then from that point we don't score another field goal until the five-minute mark. It's just very difficult to win those games."

Milwaukee carried a three-point lead into the halftime break following a back-and-forth first half. UWM led 7-1 early on but Detroit recovered to claim a 19-12 lead on a three-point play by Keeling with 11:28 remaining.

UWM had the next run, scoring eight in a row for a 20-19 lead. Detroit countered with the next six and still led 30-25 after five in a row from Simon. But, threes from Franklin and Eayrs gave the lead back to Milwaukee and another three from Franklin put the Panthers back up 37-34 after 20 minutes.

The lead grew to 41-34 right away in the second half, as a three by Eayrs was followed by a free throw from Franklin. But, Simon took over from there to put the game away for Detroit. After four-straight two-point basket, his three-pointer pushed the lead to 53-45 with 13:30 left. He then followed with another jumper and a three, giving the Titans a 58-46 advantage.

Once the lead hit 16 points, UWM could never get closer than 14 the rest of the way.

UWM will look to bounce back Saturday night when Wright State visits the U.S. Cellular Arena for Andrew Automotive Alumni Night. The game tips off at 7 p.m.