The University of Wisconsin- Whitewater men's basketball team fell to UW-La Crosse, 60-55, in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference contest Saturday afternoon at Kachel Gymnasium.
Senior Jerry Ngobi (Janesville, Wis./Janesville Craig) was honored on Senior Day and recognized prior to tip-off for his contributions to the men's basketball team over the last four years.
UW-La Crosse (13-12 overall, 5-9 WIAC) shot 22-of-24 from the free-throw line and forced 28 turnovers by the Warhawks (16-9, 6-8) in the match-up.
Senior guard Andre Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) led the Warhawks with 14 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists. Junior guard Mitchell Pfeifer (Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine) added 11 points and 5 assists and junior guard Dalton Menke (Rockford, Ill./Winnebago) tallied nine points for the Warhawks.
Sophomore forward Riley Jensen (Milton, Wis./Janesville Craig) finished back-to-back baskets for UW-Whitewater to start the game and tied the score, 4-4, with 16:24 remaining in the first half.
The Warhawks went on a 7-2 run to gain the lead, 11-8, that included a pair of free throws from Pfeifer at just under 10 minutes remaining in the half.
At 5:29, Jensen found Menke for a 3-pointer to give the Warhawks a 17-12 lead.
Junior guard David Sachs (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) earned a trip to the line in the next possession and added two points for UW-Whitewater, followed by a pair of free throws from Brown to stretch UW-Whitewater's lead, 21-14.
The Warhawks extended its lead to 11 with a basket by Sachs, but the Eagles rallied and came back within four to end the half at 27-23.
UW-La Crosse started the second half on a 15-1 run and were ahead 10 at 38-28 with 16:06 remaining in the game.
At 9:53, Brown finished a layup to bring the Warhawks within seven.
Pfeifer tipped it in on an offensive rebound to cut the Eagles lead to five with four minutes remaining.
Brown hit a jumper with 1:02 left in play to keep the Warhawks within five, 56-51.
UW-Whitewater remained within seven or less for the remainder of the game, but could not regain the lead.
Despite shooting 52.38 percent from the field in the second half, the Warhawks were unable to regain the lead after the early run by UW-La Crosse.
UW-Whitewater will travel to River Falls, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 21, to kick off post season play in the WIAC Tournament at 7 p.m. against UW-River Falls.
