The one thing I am proud of, for the entire year, all we did was fight to the end and battle until they told us we couldnt play any more. Although we made mistakes, I thought we did it with some aggressiveness.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee seniors Kevin Massiah and Nick Hansen played their last game as the Panthers traveled to Chicago last Tuesday, but lost to the University of Illinois-Chicago, 83-77.

UWM took a huge lead in the first half but UIC crawled back, advancing to the second round of the Horizon League Tournament.

UWM led by as many as 10 in the first half but could not hold off the Flames charge at the end and went into half up by only two. Paige Paulsen led the Panthers with 17 points followed by Ricky Franklin with 16. Both will be returning to the line-up next season along with all but two 2006-07 Panthers.

UIC sunk the Panthers with 29 of 33 free throws which lead them to victory down the stretch.

We settled for a couple of shots there instead of making the extra pass, said UWM head coach Rob Jeter. So, instead of coming into the half up by two, we were hoping to have a little more cushion than that and be in a little better position based on how we started the game.

Flames newcomer Robert Bush put up 21 points hitting four threes, all of which gave UIC momentum to extend their lead. Josh Mayo had a game high 22 points, completing all of his 14 free throw attempts. The Flames took the lead for the final time at 41-40 with 17 minutes 32 seconds remaining.

Avery Smith scored seven straight points in the second half to give UWM a hope, but it was too little, too late for the Panther guard.

The Panthers made a balanced attack at the end, cutting the lead to within two, but after fouling, the Flames simply converted on free throws.

The one thing I am proud of, for the entire year, all we did was fight to the end and battle until they told us we couldnt play any more. Although we made mistakes, I thought we did it with some aggressiveness, Jeter said.

The season is over until next year and the Panthers have all but Massiah and Hansen returning while adding a few excellent recruits.

This year the Horizon League Tournament continues with the next two rounds in Dayton, Ohio, and after that, games will be played at the higher seeds home court. For more information, go to www.horizonleague.org.

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