Dec. 22, 2013

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Kyle Kelm scored a collegiate-best 24 points and added 12 rebounds as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee wrapped up the Westin Holiday Classic with a 67-54 win over Alabama State Sunday afternoon at Devlin Fieldhouse.

The Panthers (10-4) led by 12 points at halftime and never let the Hornets (4-5) get closer than eight points in the second half.

Austin Arians made five 3-pointers and added 17 points for the Panthers, while Matt Tiby pitched-in with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Jamel Waters had 14 points and 10 assists to lead Alabama State. But, Milwaukee's defense held the Hornets to just 35 percent shooting from the field

Milwaukee's interior game took control of the contest quickly.

"A double-double of 24 and 12, we can't ask for any more than that from Kyle. And Tiby, even though he's playing some spotty minutes at times because of fouls, is still playing aggressively," Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter said. "Our inside game, along with Austin on the outside, was pretty good. We were able to pound it inside a little bit. For the most part we were able to impose our will by going a little bit bigger and throwing it inside."

The win was Milwaukee 10th, setting a new school-record for regular season non-league victories.

"To start the season we had a lot of new faces. We still have those guys but they're learning how to play together," Jeter said. "These guys are playing well together, they're having fun, they're picking each other up and I'm enjoying this group."

The victory also allowed Milwaukee to move on from losing a 20-point lead in a loss to Northeastern Saturday. On Sunday, UWM quickly built a double-digit lead and maintained it much of the game.

"At halftime we have them some reminders of how the other team was able to chip away yesterday," Jeter said. "Our discipline of taking care of the basketball was a little better today and rebounding, that's the key stat. We outrebounded Alabama State and that's something we haven't been able to do a lot of this season."

The Panthers rode a strong performance to a 42-30 lead at the break. Milwaukee again bolted a big lead early on, using a 16-1 run to claim a 16-4 lead in the first five minutes of the game. The advantage exploded out to 29-13 following consecutive threes from Arians and Aaron and was still 34-18 when J.J. Panoske scored on a jump-hook with 5:45 remaining.

The Hornets did battle their way back to within 12 points on a basket by Waters with 1:23 remaining and two free throws by Waters kept it at 42-30 at the break.

Milwaukee pushed the lead out to 17 points at 51-34 following a three-point play by Kelm with 16:11 remaining and still led 56-41 on a layin by Tiby with 10:38 left. Alabama State pulled within 58-50 with 6:35 left but Milwaukee restored a 12-point lead, and again the Hornets pulled within 62-54 before the Panthers scored the final five points of the game.

The Panthers now take a break for the Christmas holiday before opening Horizon League play with a pair of home games. Milwaukee hosts Youngstown State Jan. 2 before Cleveland State comes to the U.S. Cellular Arena Jan. 4.