Williams leads Milwaukee past Ill.-Chicago 72-61

CHICAGO (AP) -- Kaylon Williams had 19 points and 10 assists as Milwaukee beat Illinois-Chicago 72-61 Thursday night to climb into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Horizon League.

The Panthers (18-12), who close out the regular season Saturday against last-place Loyola (Ill.), are tied with Detroit and Youngstown State for fourth place at 10-7 in the Horizon, one game-behind Butler and Cleveland State, who share second place at 11-6. The top two teams earn first-round byes in the conference tournament.

Tony Meier added 17 points and Ryan Allen had 11 for Milwaukee, which hit 14 of 25 3-pointers en route to its eighth straight victory over Chicago. Meier was 5 for 7 beyond the arc while Williams hit 4 of 7 3-pointers.

The Flames (8-20, 3-14) got 17 points from Marc Brown, 13 from Hayden Humes and 11 each from Gary Talton and Darrin Williams.