Milwaukee, WI -- (Sports Network) - James Eayrs scored 20 points to lead the fifth-seeded Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers to a 77-68 triumph over the eighth- seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament.

Ricky Franklin added 18 points for Wisconsin-Milwaukee (17-13), which will collide with fourth-seeded Wright State in Friday's second round. The Panthers also got 10 points from Tone Boyle.

Jordan Hicks and J.R. Blount added 20 points apiece in defeat for Loyola- Chicago (14-18), which got 14 points from Walt Gibler.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee led 35-17 at intermission after limiting Loyola-Chicago to 26.7 percent shooting from the floor in the first half.

Over the final 20 minutes, the Panthers hit 24-of-29 free throws, allowing them to overcome a dismal 8-of-29 shooting performance from the field in the second stanza.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee earned a 48-37 rebounding advantage, a key to the victory.