The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team is set to play a pair of home games this week as it continues the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season.
 
The Warhawks (7-14 overall, 2-8 WIAC) host No. 8 UW-Platteville Wednesday at 7 p.m. for Staff Appreciation Night and "White Out" Night at Kachel Gymnasium. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear white, and a limited number of free t-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for attendees.
 
UW-Whitewater hosts UW-Eau Claire Saturday at 5 p.m. for Alumni Day and Youth Camper Day at Kachel Gymnasium.
 
Both games this week will air live on KOOL 106.5 FM WKCH in the Whitewater area and online at 940wfaw.com. Wednesday's game will be broadcast live on UWW-TV on channel 100.1 on campus, Spectrum channel 989 for customers in the Whitewater area and online.
 
Live statistics links and a link for Saturday's online-only video broadcast are available at the UW-Whitewater men's basketball schedule page.
 
The Warhawks dropped a pair of one-possession games last week, including a 74-72 setback against UW-Stevens Point last Wednesday and a 63-60 loss at UW-River Falls on Saturday.
 
UW-Whitewater led by double digits in the first half on Wednesday before falling behind by as many as 12 in the second half. The team continued to fight back and had a game-tying shot attempt at the buzzer roll off the rim and out. Equan Ards (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) recorded 17 points, and Breontae Hunt (Milwaukee, Wis./Bay View) collected 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Saturday's game featured 11 ties and 20 lead changes, and the Warhawks came up just short with another game-tying shot attempt in the waning seconds. Ards registered 23 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
 
Wednesday – vs. UW-Platteville, 7 p.m. (Staff Appreciation/White Out Night)
 
In the first meeting between the two teams this season, UW-Platteville raced out to a 16-2 advantage and UW-Whitewater never led in a 77-56 defeat on Jan. 22. Ards and Hunt combined for 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Warhawks, who were limited to a season-low 31.0 percent shooting from the floor.
 
The Pioneers hold a 109-107 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.
 
UW-Platteville (18-3, 8-2) sits atop the WIAC standings by one game over UW-Oshkosh following two more wins last week, including an 84-72 triumph at UW-Stout on Saturday. Five players score in double figures for the Pioneers, who shot 50 percent from the floor and held a 23-9 advantage over the Blue Devils in made free throws. Justin Stovall led UW-P with a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds.
 
The Pinoeers rank second in the WIAC in both scoring offense (78.0 points per game) and scoring defense (65.0 ppg). Quentin Shields leads the team in scoring with 15.4 points per contest.
 
Saturday – vs. UW-Eau Claire, 5 p.m. (Alumni Day/Youth Camper Day)
 
On January 4 in Eau Claire, UW-Whitewater led by as many as 12 early in the second half but was unable to hold the lead in a 66-59 setback. Ards totaled 15 points, Bailey Kale (La Crosse, Wis./Central) contributed 11 points and James Burks (Milwaukee, Wis./Riverside University HS) posted 11 poitns to lead the Warhawks, who shot 50 percent in the game.
 
The Blugolds (15-6, 6-4) are tied for third place in the league standings entering the week. They lead the conference in field goal percentage at 49.5 percent. Cole Rabedeaux leads the WIAC in scoring, averaging 20.9 points per affair on 51.5 percent shooting.
 
Last week, UW-Eau Claire extended its win streak to three games with victories at UW-Oshkosh and at home against UW-Stevens Point. Rabedeaux posted 23 points and Carter Brooks added 17 points for UW-EC, which shot 54.3 percent from the floor and made 18-of-22 at the free-throw line.
 
The Blugolds host UW-River Falls Wednesday night before heading to Whitewater Saturday.