Feb. 11, 2010

Box Score
Milwaukee Postgame Audio

DAYTON, Ohio - Wright State made five free throws over the final three minutes to break a 61-all tie and claim a 68-63 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Thursday night at the Nutter Center.

The Panthers (13-12, 5-8 Horizon) had overcome a nine-point deficit to tie the game at 61 on a Ja'Rob McCallum layin with 3:30 remaining. But, two free throws by N'Gai Evans 33 seconds later gave the Raiders (16-9, 9-5) the lead back for good.

James Eayrs scored 20 points and McCallum added 17 for Milwaukee.

Cory Cooperwood scored 16 points to lead a balanced Wright State attack.

UWM held a 35-24 edge on the boards and made 14-of-16 from the line, but Wright State made 51 percent of its shots from the field to claim its 10th home win in 11 tries.

Milwaukee started well in the first half, with Eayrs scoring 10 of UWM's first 13 points as the Panthers claimed a 13-9 lead. A three-pointer by Jerard Ajami put Milwaukee back in front, 18-16, but Wright State countered with a 12-2 run for a 28-20 advantage.

The Panthers struck back, though, with two-straight baskets from McCallum making it 28-24 and two free throws by Jason Averkamp bring UWM within three at 33-30. Milwaukee actually got all the way back to within 37-35 on two free throws by McCallum with 10 seconds left, but a nifty hoop by Evans put the Raiders up 39-35 at the half.

After Milwaukee pulled within two on the first possession of the second half, Wright State used a 7-0 run to build a 46-37 advantage. The Panthers didn't go away, though, crawling within 48-45 on a layin by Anthony Hill with 11:43 left. UWM was still within four at 54-50 after a Ricky Franklin three with 9:10 remaining.

The lead eventually pushed back out to 61-52 on a Vaughn Duggins jumper with just under six minutes left, but Milwaukee countered with the next nine points to tie the game at 61. But, Evans drew a foul on the Raiders' next possession and made both free throws to reclaim the lead. Wright State then hit three more free throws and added a basket from Evans to finish out the win.

UWM wraps up its weekend road swing with a Saturday game at Detroit. The contest begins at 3 p.m. EST/2 p.m. CST.