The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team came within one possession of a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory for the third time in its last four games Saturday, falling 63-60 at UW-River Falls.
 
The Warhawks (7-14 overall, 2-8 WIAC) held a one-point lead with just over a minute to play in regulation, but the Falcons scored the final four points of the contest as UW-W missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.
 
Junior forward Equan Ards (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) totaled a game-high 23 points and added seven rebounds and fieve steals. Sophomore forward Breontae Hunt (Milwaukee, Wis./Bay View) registered nine points and three rebounds for UW-Whitewater, which was held to 31 percent shooting in the second half.
 
Freshman guard Austin Gates (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) posted eight points and a team-high eight rebounds, and freshman forward Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) collected eight points and three rebounds.
 
Neither team led by more than four points in a back-and-forth first half that featured six ties. The Warhawks took their first lead of the contest at 13-12 just before the midway point of the period following a 3-pointer by Hunt.
 
Ards gave UW-Whitewater a four-point lead with under a minute to go in the half, but the Falcons (12-9, 5-5) converted a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to cut the UW-W lead to one.
 
UW-River Falls grabbed a five-point lead at the 16:13 mark of the second half. The Warhawks responded and took a 44-43 advantage with 10:43 remaining.
 
Sophomore guard Bailey Kale (La Crosse, Wis./Central) tied the game for the 11th time at 59-59 with 1:43 on the clock. Hunt gave UW-Whitewater a 60-59 lead with 1:02 on the clock, and the Falcons went ahead on their next offensive possession and didn't look back.
 
The Warhawks host No. 12 UW-Platteville Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Kachel Gymnasium. Fans are encouraged to wear white in an effort to "white out" the facility.