Jan. 16, 2010

Box Score
Milwaukee Postgame Audio |  Wright State Postgame Audio
Audio Highlights |  Jeter on Panthers' Postgame

MILWAUKEE - Deonte Roberts and Ricky Franklin scored 18 points apiece and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to claim a 67-61 overtime win over Wright State Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Panthers (11-8, 3-4 Horizon) actually used a 29-7 run to build a nine-point second-half lead, but then had to win the game in overtime.

In the extra session, Milwaukee took the lead for good on a Franklin free throw with 1:42 left and found some breathing room when James Eayrs buried a three-pointer 30 seconds later. From there, UWM hit 4-of-6 from the line to hang on.

UWM continuously pounded the ball inside and made 11-of-19 from the floor in the second half and overtime. At the same time, Milwaukee converted on 19-of-28 from the line.

Troy Tabler scored 18 points and Vaughn Duggins 15 for Wright State (11-8, 4-4), which has lost 12-straight games in Milwaukee.

Wright State rode a hot start into an eight-point halftime lead. The Raiders scored 11 of the first 13 points of the game and eventually led 21-6 on a N'Gai Evans jumper with 11:13 remaining. Milwaukee did trim the deficit to nine, but a Tabler three pushed the edge back out to 29-15 with 6:20 remaining.

The Panthers found themselves after that, with two Hill free throws pulling Milwaukee within 31-23. Franklin then missed a three-pointer at the end of the half that would have made things even closer.

UWM's run continued into the second half, with 13-straight points making for a 17-0 run and a 36-31 Milwaukee lead. The advantage eventually grew to 45-36 on a free throw by Roberts with 10 minutes remaining.

But Wright State wasn't done, taking a 51-50 lead on a three by Tabler with four minutes left. Milwaukee regained a 53-51 advantage on a Franklin basket but Ronnie Thomas made two free throws to again tie things with just over a minute to play.

UWM turned the ball over on its next possession, but Wright State never got a shot off on its next possession. Milwaukee's final chance with 1.8 seconds left just missed, as Franklin's 35-footer bounced off the rim and backboard.

The Raiders took their final lead of the night at 57-56 on a three by Tabler, but Franklin answered with a three of his own to give the lead back to UWM. After Cooper Land tied things with two free throws at the two-minute mark, Franklin and Eayrs combined to give the lead back to Milwaukee and the Panthers hung on for the win.

UWM returns to action next weekend with a pair of road games in Ohio. The Panthers play at Youngstown State Friday night on ESPNU before facing Cleveland State Sunday afternoon on Sports 32.