Nov. 13, 2010

Box Score  | Postgame Extra

PORTLAND, Ore. - Alex Tucker and Greg Gantt scored 18 points apiece and Florida Atlantic converted on 33-of-46 from the foul line in claiming an 85-76 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday on day two of the Athletes In Action Classic at the Chiles Center.

The Owls (2-0) shot just 40.7 percent from the floor for the game but made 20 free throws in the second half alone in securing the victory.

Meanwhile, the Panthers (0-2) made just 15-of-34 chances from the line.

Milwaukee trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half but rallied to pull within a point in the second half. But an 18-8 run allowed FAU to restore a double-digit advantage and the Panthers could get no closer than seven points in the closing minutes.

Tone Boyle had 16 points while Anthony Hill had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Panthers. Ja'Rob McCallum added 13 points off the bench while Kaylon Williams had eight points and six assists.

Milwaukee trailed by 11 points at halftime but got back in the game quickly in the second half. Tony Meier had a three-pointer and an assist to Hill to account for the first five points of the half, and a follow-up by Lonnie Boga made it 45-41. The Panthers eventually pulled within 51-50 on a three-pointer by McCallum with 15 minutes remaining and were still within 55-52 on a Hill basket with 12 minutes left.

But, a layup by Dennis Marvin made it 65-56 with nine minutes left and Gantt eventually made it 72-60 on a three-point play with 7:05 remaining. The Panthers did get within seven on a three-pointer by Boyle at the two minute mark, but a turnover on Milwaukee's next possession effectively ended the chances for a comeback.

The Panthers again found themselves digging out of an early hole, as a three-pointer by Raymond Taylor gave Florida Atlantic a 15-8 lead just five minutes into the game. Milwaukee did rally to within 19-15 on a three-pointer by McCallum and to within 20-19 on a pair of free throws from Ryan Haggerty with 9:16 left.

But, FAU countered with 10 of the next 12 points, as a basket by Tucker made it 30-21 with 6:29 remaining. The lead hit double digits for the first time at 34-23 on a layup by Gantt and was 38-25 after a basket by Andre Mattison. UWM did close the gap to 41-32 on a layin by Meier with just over a minute remaining, but FAU still carried a 45-34 lead into the locker room.

In the end, Milwaukee couldn't overcome the deficit or its own troubles from the foul line. The Panthers made just 8-of-20 in the first half, including twice as the front end of a one-and-one. Meanwhile FAU, which made just 23-of-42 from the line in its season-opening win over UC Davis, converted at a 71.7 percent clip for the game.

The Panthers will wrap up play in the Athletes In Action Classic Sunday against UC Davis. That game starts at 5 p.m. CST/3 p.m. PST.