Dec. 14, 2010

Box Score  | Postgame Extra

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Tony Freeland scored 14 points and DePaul used a strong defensive effort to beat the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 61-47 Tuesday night at Allstate Arena.

The Panthers (5-7) led by nine points in the first eight minutes of the game but struggled on offense the rest of the way.

UWM shot 39 percent from the field and turned it over 20 times against full-court pressure by the Blue Demons (4-6).

Anthony Hill and Ja'Rob McCallum had 10 points apiece to led the Panthers.

Milwaukee made eight field goals in the first eight minutes of the game in building a 20-11 advantage, then made just 10 more in the final 30 minutes.

The great start by the Panthers saw a three by McCallum make it 9-2 before a follow-up basket from Tony Meier pushed the lead to 17-9. The Milwaukee advantage hit nine when McCallum made three, making it 20-11 with 11:51 remaining.

DePaul's defense started to take its toll from there, limiting the Panthers to just five points over the final 12 minutes of the half. In fact, Milwaukee went six minutes without a basket after the McCallum three, with a Tone Boyle three finally breaking the drought and putting the Panthers up 23-19. But, the Blue Demons scored the 10 points to claim a 29-23 lead and carried a 29-25 advantage into the locker room.

The Blue Demons extended the lead to nine early in the second half, but Milwaukee crawled back to within 37-34 on an inside basket by Hill. But, DePaul scored the next nine points as the Panthers went five minutes without scoring. From there, Milwaukee could never get closer than seven points.

The Panthers return home Saturday night, playing Bowling Green in the final game before the Christmas holiday. The contest tips off at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena.