The Warhawk men's basketball team fell to undefeated Augustana College, ranked tenth in the D3hoops.com top 25 poll, 70-64 Wednesday night in Rock Island, IL.

Box Score

Augustana started the game on a 9-2 run including five points from junior forward Chris Anderson. Leading 25-16 with 7:48 left, the Vikings put together an 8-0 run with six of those points coming off of two three-pointers from junior guard Brian DeSimone to build a double digit lead, 33-16. Augustana held the double figure lead heading into the locker room with a 36-26 advantage. The Vikings shot 56% from the floor in the first half while holding the Warhawks to 36%.

The Warhawks strung five points together with 14:56 left in the game to cut the deficit to seven, 43-36. The Vikings were able to push the lead back up to 12 but UW-W responded with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 6, 51-45, with 7:36 remaining. Augustana answered with a 7-0 run to go up 58-45 with the clock showing 6:19. Whitewater didn't fold using the free throw line to cut the lead to five, 60-55, the smallest lead of the second half, at 3:23. The Warhawks stayed close keeping the deficit in single digits but were unable to close the gap in the final three minutes as the Vikings prevailed 70-64. UW-W tightened their defense in the second half holding Augustana to 36% shooting from the floor and just seven field goals. The offense increased the tempo making 13-28 (46%) from the field.

The Vikings biggest asset in the game came from the three-point line. Augustana made 10 of 21 (47%) to Whitewater's 4-22 (18%) from three-point range. Whitewater had the advantage in rebounding pulling down 32 boards to Augustana's 29.

Sophomore guard Antone Byrd (Milwaukee/Washington) shared the game high mark in points with 21 including a 9-10 performance from the charity stripe. Junior forward Chris Davis (Madison/East) recorded a double double with 14 points and 14 boards. Junior forward Alex Edmunds (Cedarburg/Cedarburg) and freshman guard Cody Odegaard (Poynette/Poynette) contributed with ten points each. Senior guards DJ Dantzler (Joliet, IL/Joliet Township) and Phil Negri (Minocqua/Lakeland) shared a game high four assists apiece.

DeSimone led Augustana with 21 points and nine rebounds. Three other Vikings posted double digits in scoring including senior forward Kyle Nelson with 15, junior forward Voiles and Anderson both tallied 11.

Whitewater falls to 4-4 this season. Augustana remains unbeaten in seven contests.

UW-W will host Marian University (WI) Saturday, December 18 at 7:00 in Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater, WI.