The ninth-ranked Warhawks defeated UW-La Crosse 92-86 Wednesday night in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.

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Although Whitewater had a nine point lead in the first half, that was an aberration as the team's exchanged the lead late in the half and the Warhawks held a 43-40 margin at intermission.

Whitewater opened the second half with a 9-2 run to open at 52-42 lead.  UW-W also led 57-47, but the Eagles turned the tables with their own 10-1 spurt to cut the margin to 58-57 with 13:18 left.  Although Whitewater led the rest of the way, the Warhawks could not shake the Eagles, never building more than a five point lead.  UW-W held a 92-83 lead with just 13 seconds left as UW-L put the Warhawks on the line to slow the clock.

Whitewater out-rebounded La Crosse 42-33, and managed 31 points from the free throw line (31-41) to La Crosse's 16 (16-23). 

UW-W's Kori Vernon (Madison/Memorial) and UW-L's Trevor Stratton tied for the game point leader with 27 points apiece.  Vernon was backed by the senior guard tandem of Myles McKay (Menomonee Falls/Menomonee Falls), 23, and Matt Goodwin (Milwaukee/King), 20.  Vernon notched a double-double, adding a game high 14 boards.  Andy Merklein added 24 points and Tony Mane 16 for the Eagles.  Merklein's nine boards, and Mane's five assists, were both team highs.

The Warhawks improve to 12-2 on the season, 4-1 in the WIAC, while the Eagles of La Crosse fall to 7-6, 1-3 in the WIAC.  The Warhawks also improve their home record to 7-0.

The next game for the Warhawks will be January 10, when they host UW-Eau Claire for another conference matchup, scheduled for 3:00 in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.

For additional information:  Pat Miller, UW-W coach