Feb. 2, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

DAYTON, Ohio - Drew Burleson and DaShaun Wood scored 17 points apiece and Wright State outscored the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 21-11 from the foul line in claiming a 59-54 win Thursday night at the Nutter Center.

The Raiders (10-10, 6-4 Horizon) snapped a nine-game losing streak to Milwaukee while handing the Panthers just their second loss in their last 14 games.

Milwaukee (16-5, 9-2) got 15 points apiece from Adrian Tigert and Chris Hill but could not overcome 35 percent shooting from the field.

The Panthers still remain alone in first place in the Horizon League and have just two road games remaining the rest of the regular season, including Saturday's showdown with second-place Butler.

Wright State looked like it was pulling away midway through the second half, building a 47-37 lead with 8:47 remaining on back-to-back jumpers by Wood. But the Panthers did not go away, cutting the lead to 49-43 on a jumper by Derrick Ford with 5:18 remaining.

UWM then took the ball back and Joah Tucker drove the lane for a basket and an apparent foul. Instead, a second official called a traveling violation and Burleson then scored on the other end to restore an eight-point lead.

The Panthers fought back one more time, pulling within 51-50 on a three by Hill with 2:02 left. But, on the other end, Burleson converted on a conventional three-point play and Milwaukee would get no closer the rest of the way.

Nothing was decided in a defensive-minded first half, as both teams struggled to put points on the board. An early burst by the Raiders gave them a 14-9 lead with 11:32 left in the half, forcing Milwaukee to use a timeout. But, as the Panthers were busy allowing just 10 more points the rest of the half, they slowly got their inside game on track.

An inside basket by Tucker with 5:47 remaining tied the game at 18 and two free throws by Davis with 1:33 left gave the Panthers a 24-22 lead, their first since early in the game. But, a basket by Burleson with 40 seconds remaining tied the game at 24 and each team then failed to score on their final possession of the half.

Saturday's game at Butler wraps up a stretch of four-straight road games for the Panthers. The contest at Hinkle Fieldhouse tips off at 1 p.m. CST.