The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team led the game for almost 26 minutes, but was unable to hang on as defending national champion UW-Oshkosh edged the Warhawks 73-71 in the final seconds.
 
Junior Equan Ards (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) led the team with 24 points and averaged nearly one point per minute. Sophomore Bailey Kale (La Crosse, Wis./Central) tallied 14 points, and freshman Austin Gates (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
 
After five minutes of play, the Warhawks (6-12 overall, 1-6 WIAC) found an eight-point run to push their lead to seven points, which was their largest lead in the game. The Titans answered back, tying up the game 19-19 with nine minutes left in the first.
 
UW-W took the lead and did not let UW-O come within two points for the remainder of the half. The Warhawks found points from two fast breaks, including a dunk from Ards, to put them up 37-32 heading into halftime.
 
UW-Oshkosh (12-6, 6-1) found momentum early in the second as they held the Warhawks scoreless for six minutes and recorded 15 points. Sophomore Breontae Hunt (Milwaukee, Wis./Bay View) ended the scoring drought with a 3-pointer to get the offense rolling. The team used the next four minutes to tie the game once more with 55 points apiece.
 
The remainder of the game went possession-for-possession as neither team was able to lead the other by more than three points. Senior Riley Jensen (Milton, Wis./Janesville Craig) drew a foul with 22 seconds remaining and put the Warhawks ahead 71-70 after making his free throws. With nine seconds left on the clock, the Titans grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a 3-pointer to take the lead for good.
 
UW-Whitewater starts up the second round of its WIAC games on the road next week. They will face UW-La Crosse on Wednesday at 7 p.m.