The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team started their Florida trip with a 65-60 win over Hamline University on Friday night.

The Warhawks move to a 5-5 record while the Pipers drop to 1-8.
 
UW-W controlled the beginning of the game, starting with a three-pointer from Bailey Kale (La Crosse, Wis./Central) and a layup from Equan Ards (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) in the first two minutes. Austin Gates (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) hit a three-pointer three minutes later to put the Warhawks up by six, their largest lead of the half.
 
The Pipers found an eight-point run leading into the 11 minute mark of the first half. Ards made a tip-in layup off of his own shot to put Whitewater back on the board.
 
In the final three minutes, the men scored an additional eight points from three different players to close in on Hamline's lead. The Pipers led the game 37-27 heading into halftime.
 
The Warhawks began the second half holding the Pipers scoreless through the first five minutes. Kale, Ards and Jack Brahm's (Bayside, Wis./Glendale Nicolet) baskets decreased Hamline's lead to just two points. Brian Conaghan's (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) layup tied the score 39-39 in the 27th minute of play.
 
UW-W found their first lead in 25 minutes when Ards stole the ball and dunked it at the 12:20 mark. They controlled the rest of the game, leading the Pipers for the final eight minutes of play.
 
Ards, Kale and Riley Jensen (Milton, Wis./Janesville Craig) found a total of 18 points to wrap up the second half with 38 points and a 65-60 win.
 
Ards led the team with 21 points, three assists, seven rebounds and four steals. Following him was Kale with 16 points and two assists.
 
UW-Whitewater will be back in action on Monday to play Amherst (Mass.) at 7:30 p.m.