Box Score PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The UW-Whitewater men's basketball team used a second half run to earn a 80-68 victory over UW-Platteville Wednesday night in Platteville.

Whitewater shot 55.6% (30-54) and 6-10 from behind the arc in the game. Reggie Hearn (Milwaukee/Marshall) led the Warhawks with 25 points while Eric Bryson (Elkhorn/Elkhorn) added 14 and Alex Merg (Greendale/Greendale) pitched in 10.

It was a close first half, with six ties and the largest lead being five in favor of Platteville with 0:29 seconds left in the half.

In the first half the Warhawks shot 3-5 from behind the arc and were a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. Whitewater was able to capitalize on the Pioneers' seven turnovers, scoring 12 points off the miscues. Hearn led all scorers with 15 points, going 7-9 from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe.

Platteville shot 62.5% (15-24) from the field and 2-5 from behind the arc in the first half to go into intermission with a 35-32 lead. Chas Cross was the Pioneers leading scorer with 12 points, shooting 5-5 from the floor.

UW-P came out of the half with a three-point lead and did not trail until the 8:25 mark in the second half when Quardell Young (Kenosha/Bradford) was fouled during a layup and hit the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play and give UW-W a 58-57 edge.

The teams traded the lead until Hearn hit one of two free throws and Merg hit a three-pointer to go up 62-59 with 7:02 left on the clock. This sparked a 14-0 run for the Warhawks that lasted 3:35. UW-P battled back to within nine points (74-65) but the Warhawks extended their lead to 15 with under a minute to play.

The Warhawks shot 69.2% (18-26) in the second half as Bryson and Hearn combined for 28 points on 9-12 shooting.

Whitewater improved to 16-3 (7-3 WIAC) on the season as Platteville fell to 12-7 (7-3 WIAC). The Warhawks will return home to play UW-Stout Saturday at 7:00 pm.



PMP/ak