December 8, 2001

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated Virginia Tech, 80-78, in overtime in the consolation round of the Jim Thorpe Classic at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday night. The loss drops the Hokies to 5-4 overall, while the Panthers are now 4-4 on the season.

Tech, playing without starting guards Carlos Dixon and Eric Branham, jumped out to a 30-17 lead with 2:46 remaining in the first half and held off a Panther rally to take a 33-26 lead into the break. The Hokies then opened the second half on a 25-11 run in the first 9:33 to take a 58-37 lead.

The Panthers then began cutting into the lead with three-point field goals from Clay Tucker and Ronnie Jones, as UWM was able to slice the deficit to 72-70 with :08 remaining. After Brian Chase hit one-of-two free throws with :07 remaining, Jones hit a three-pointer with :01.9 remaining to knot the score at 73-73. A late Virginia Tech attempt was off the mark and the game went to overtime.

In the extra stanza, UWM took a 79-76 lead with :19 remaining. Joe Hamilton hit a pair of free throws with :17 remaining to cut the lead to one point. Jones then made one-of-two free throws to give the Panthers a two point lead. Chase missed on a final three point attempt and UWM held on for the two-point victory.

All five Hokie starters scored in double figures, led by senior Carlton Carter (Trenton, N.J.) with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Chase with 17 points, all in the second half and overtime. Sophomore Bryant Matthews added 14 points and 12 rebounds and led the Hokies with four assists. Tucker led all scorers with 29 points and Jones added 25 points, with 23 points coming in the second half.

Tech won the battle of the boards, 48-31, but committed 30 turnovers in the game. The Hokies shot 50.9% from the field and held the Panthers to 35.8% from the floor. UWM hit 13 of 36 three-point field goals.

Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday night at 7 p.m., as the Hokies host Western Michigan.