James Eayrs had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated Illinois-Chicago 73-67 in the first round of the Horizon League tournament Tuesday night.
The fourth-seeded Panthers (19-13) won their sixth straight game and advance to a second-round contest Friday in Indianapolis against fifth seed Cleveland State, which defeated Loyola of Chicago 80-66.
Lonnie Boga and Anthony Hill also scored 12 points for Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Boga had nine rebounds as the Panthers outrebounded the Flames 47-34.
Ricky Franklin scored the first five points of the second half to give the Panthers a 40-35 lead they never relinquished. Franklin finished with nine points.
Ninth-seeded Illinois-Chicago (8-22) lost to Milwaukee for the third time this season, including 78-74 last Saturday night. Robo Kreps scored 20 points to lead the Flames.
