March 3, 2001

Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

FAIRBORN, Ohio - Jesse Deister hit a three-point shot with 37 seconds remaining to lift Wright State to a 64-63 victory in a Midwestern Collegiate Conference Tournament quarterfinal game Saturday afternoon at the Nutter Center.

Clay Tucker missed a jumped just outside the lane with two seconds remaining that would have given the Panthers the victory.

UWM grabbed a 63-61 advantage with 1:37 to play on two Chad Angeli free throws. The Panthers then regained possession following a Wright State turnover, but Tucker missed a three-point basket with one minute to play. The Raiders then won the game in their next possession.

"I think I could have gotten a better look," Tucker said of his last-second opportunity. "I could have attacked the rim more. It just didn't go in."

"I thought our guys really did some good things," coach Bo Ryan said. "They know right now we're playing really well."

Ronnie Jones scored 17 points to lead the Panthers, who also got 16 points from Tucker. Deister and Kevin Melson scored 16 points apiece to lead Wright State.

Wright State fought back from an eight-point deficit early in the second half, finally tying the game at 47-47 on a Jesse Deister jumper with 10:49 remaining. After UWM rebuilt a five-point advantage, Wright State scored six consecutive points to take their first lead of the second half at 55-54.

After scoring just three points in the first 8:40 of the game, the Panthers rallied to grab a 17-14 advantage on a Clay Tucker hoop and foul. UWM extended the lead to eight at 33-25 late in the half, but an Israel Sheinfeld basket off a loose ball pulled the Raiders to within 33-27 at halftime.

The Raiders (18-10) advance to Sunday's semifinals, where the hosts will face either Butler or Loyola. UWM finishes the season 15-13.