MILWAUKEE | Avery Smith scored 22 points and Wisconsin-Milwaukee survived a cold-shooting first half Monday night to beat Valparaiso 61-47 in a Horizon League game.

The Panthers (9-5, 5-0) won their fourth straight. Tone Boyle added 10 points for Milwaukee.

The Crusaders (4-11, 1-3) lost for the 11th time in 13 games. Urule Igbavboa led Valparaiso with 12 points.

The Panthers, trailing 23-18 at halftime, outscored the Crusaders 11-2 to start the second period and go ahead for good at 29-25.

Milwaukee, which missed all 11 of its 3-point tries in the first half, nailed three 3-pointers in the scoring spurt, including one by Boyle to finish it off.

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