The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team withstood a late rally by the home team Saturday for a 70-66 victory at Alma in a non-conference contest in Alma, Mich.
 
The Warhawks (3-5 overall) led 69-60 with 1:23 remaining before the Scots hit back-to-back 3-pointers around a UW-W turnover to cut the deficit to one possession with 30 seconds to play.
 
UW-Whitewater had two chances to make it a two-possession game, but missed the front end on consecutive 1-and-1 opportunities. The defense forced tough looks on the other end to sustain the UW-W lead, and junior forward Equan Ards (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) hit a free throw with 2.7 seconds to play to put the game out of reach.
 
Ards led all scorers with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the floor and added seven rebounds. Freshman forward Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) collected 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting and added five rebounds, and sophomore guard Bailey Kale (La Crosse, Wis./Central) cracked double digits with 10 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.
 
The Warhawks shot 50 percent from the floor and held a 44-32 advantage on points in the paint while holding Alma (4-3) to 38.5 percent shooting, including 28.6 percent from 3-point range.
 
UW-Whitewater jumped out to a 7-0 lead and didn't allow a bucket until the 15:32 mark of the first half. The Warhawks sustained their lead all the way through the end of the half and led 33-29 heading into the locker room.
 
The Scots tied the contest at 38-38 just over two minutes into the second half and took a 41-40 advantage with 16:54 remaining.
 
From there, UW-Whitewater ran off nine straight points and held Alma scoreless for more than four minutes during the stretch. The Warhawks took their first double-digit lead at 57-47 midway through the half following a layup by Ards.
 
Chislom put UW-Whitewater ahead 63-51, matching the team's largest lead of the game, with 7:05 on the clock. Sophomore forward Jack Brahm (Bayside, Wis./Glendale Nicolet) made it a 12-point margin again at the 4:42 mark.
 
The Warhawks conclude a stretch of four consecutive true road games Dec. 18 at Beloit. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.