The No. 10 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team was unable to establish an offensive rhythm Wednesday night in a 64-51 setback at 12th-ranked UW-Stevens Point in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
 
The Warhawks (11-1 overall, 0-1 WIAC) were held to a season-low 36.2 percent shooting from the floor, including a 23.1 percent clip in the first half.
 
UW-Whitewater held the Pointers (9-2, 1-0) to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half before UW-Stevens Point converted 55.6 percent in the second.
 
Senior forward Derek Rongstand and senior guard David Sachs (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) led the Warhawks with 11 points apiece. Senior guard Malik Clements (Fitchburg, Wis./Madison West) totaled seven points and a team-best six rebounds, and junior guard Tywon Bressler (Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican) finished with six points.
 
UW-Whitewater took its first lead at 9-8 at the 11:04 mark of the first half on a layup by senior guard Andre Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail). From there, the Pointers scored the next 10 points to take an 18-9 advantage with 7:25 to go in the period.
 
The Warhawks drew to within five at the 3:18 mark on a layup by Clements, but UW-Stevens Point scored the final five points of the half to take a 25-15 lead.
 
UW-Whitewater got as close as 10 in the second half on a layup by senior forward Melvin Brown Jr. (Milwaukee, Wis./Vincent) with 19:19 on the clock. The Pointers scored the next seven points and led 36-19 four minutes into the frame.
 
UW-Stevens Point maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half and led by as many as 22. The Warhawks scored 10 of the last 11 points, including five by freshman forward Matt Sechman (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy), over the final three minutes to account for the final margin.
 
UW-Whitewater welcomes UW-Eau Claire to Kachel Gymnasium this Saturday at 5 p.m. for a WIAC contest.