It would have taken more than a miracle to wipe the smiles off the collective faces on the court pre-game last Tuesday night as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee took care of business on the hardwood.

This night was about recognition, not only for the past few years in a Panthers uniform, but for the last 20 years and change that saw seven seniors grow.

The class of 2006 has achieved heights that no Panthers class has reached before. From the first Horizon League tournament championship in 2003 to last year's magical run to the Sweet 16, these players have been a part of it all.

Boo Davis, Joah Tucker, Jason McCoy, Chris Hill, Adrian Tigert, Derrick Ford and Mark Pancratz have given everything they have over the past several years, and on this night, the evidence was present. Tigert, sidelined with a back injury, made sure his voice was heard in the huddle.

From the opening tip until each senior left the game to a standing ovation, the Panthers had the University of Detroit Mercy in control.

Led by senior Joah Tucker with 24 points and nine rebounds, Milwaukee went on a 33-11 run to close out the first half, hitting 10 three-pointers en route to a 21-point halftime lead.

The first half was full of exciting plays. During the run, walk-on Nick Hansen nailed a rare three pointer that sent the Klotsche Krazies into a frenzy.

In perhaps the most exciting play of the season, McCoy stuffed a shot; Hill grabbed the ball, dribbled it to the arc and put up an electrifying alley-oop to Davis. The first period was capped off by Allan Hanson swishing a three pointer.

The second half had its moments as well. On the defensive end, Ford grabbed a rebound, only to see a Panthers shot clang off the rim. Ford took the ball and slammed home a dunk.

Not long after that, Davis hit a three pointer, Hill stole it back and Davis swished another bomb from beyond the arc.

Detroit's senior guard Brandon Cotton, a Michigan State transfer, was kept in check by the Panthers. A player who makes quick moves to the basket reminiscent of a young Allen Iverson, Cotton can score over 20 points with ease, but UWM held him to 16 points on the game on 7-18 shooting.

The 10 three pointers at halftime had several people inquiring about the single-game record. The Panthers ended up with 14, which turned out to be four short of the record 18 set against the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2001.

However, Tigert's absence was noticeable. Although Ford picked up some slack with a career-high five blocks and six rebounds, the Panthers were outscored in the paint, 28-16. They did win the rebounding margin by 12, although Hill and Davis combined for 13 boards.

The victory assured UWM a share of the Horizon League regular season championship. The three-peat ensured Milwaukee of a post season appearance.

Although they can still miss out on the NCAA tournament, new rules in the National Invitational Tournament give an automatic berth to regular season conference champions, should they not make the NCAA field of 65. The Panthers have made the postseason four years in a row, which also happens to be the total of years they have made it to the postseason.

The UWM Panthers next game will be March 4 at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena, after Butler lost to Detroit, 73-71, Saturday, Feb. 25, handing the league title to the Panthers.

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