It has been almost seven years since the TCU men’s basketball team was victorious in postseason play.

The team took an 83-73 win over the Milwaukee Panthers Tuesday night in the fifth annual College Basketball Invitational.

Senior Craig Williams and sophomore Amric Fields each led TCU in scoring with 15 points.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (20-13) won five of their last six games upon making their sixth NCAA postseason appearance.

The Frogs (18-14), reeling from three straight losses, were looking to make a change after an 81-60 loss to Colorado State during the Mountain West tournament last weekend in Las Vegas, Nev.

“We were so disappointed in the way we played against Colorado State. It wasn’t the way we’ve played for the last month and a half,” TCU head coach Jim Christian said.

The Frogs held a 38-30 lead over the Panthers going into the second half. Freshman Kyan Anderson led in steals with three and senior Hank Thorns, although suffering from bruised ribs, managed to end the half with three assists.

Nate Butler, scoreless in the first half, knocked down three 3-pointers in the second half to make a season-high total of 10 points.

Although Butler struggled throughout the season, it was good for his confidence to have hit such big shots, Fields said of his teammate.

The Frogs are 14-3 in Daniel Meyer Coliseum this season, marking their best home record since 2001.

Tuesday’s game was the first postseason home game for the men’s team in 13 years.

CBI Media Contact Ray Cella said TCU’s success is owed to Coach Christian’s ability to turn the program around and find players who really want to play.

“You reward basketball players by allowing them to continue to play basketball,” Cella said.

TCU will take on the winner of tomorrow night’s match between Western Illinois and Oregon State in the Quarterfinals on March 19. All games are aired on HDNet.