The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team was unable to find an offensive rhythm Saturday in an 82-63 setback against UW-La Crosse in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest at Kachel Gymnasium.
The Warhawks (14-5 overall, 3-5 WIAC) were held to 38.3 percent shooting from the floor, their third-lowest in one game this season, and 5-of-19 from 3-point range.
The Eagles (14-5, 7-1) made 54.3 percent from the floor in the game, including 65 percent in the second half.
The two teams combined to shoot 70 free throws. UW-Whitewater finished 22-of-36, while UW-La Crosse hit 28-of-34.
Senior guard
David Sachs (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) posted a season-high 25 points, hitting 6-of-9 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. Senior guard
Andre Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) was the only other Warhawk in double figures with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Eagles held a 12-4 lead four minutes into the affair and maintained a lead until the 10:41 mark, when Brown tied the game on a jumper.
UW-La Crosse took the lead for good with 6:51 left in the first half, but UW-Whitewater stayed within striking distance, bringing its deficit down to 29-28 on a layup by senior guard
Mitchell Pfeifer (Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine) with 1:46 on the clock.
The Eagles took a five-point lead into halftime after Sachs was fouled and hit a pair of free throws with one second left.
UW-La Crosse extended its lead early in the second half, increasing it to double digits at 45-34 with 15:33 remaining.
The Warhawks fought to within eight at the 14:29 mark, but the Eagles scored on their next possession and never let their lead slip below 10 for the remainder of the contest.
At halftime of the game, UW-Whitewater recognized the 35th anniversary of the 1984 national championship, the 30th anniversary of the 1989 national championship and the fifth anniversary of the 2014 national championship in a six-minute ceremony.
UW-Whitewater visits No. 4 UW-Oshkosh Wednesday at 7 p.m.
