The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team was unable to sustain momentum Wednesday night in a 79-69 setback against 11th-ranked UW-Platteville in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest inside Kachel Gymnasium.
The Warhawks (1-3 overall, 1-3 WIAC) trailed for the final 30 minutes of regulation after the Pioneers took a 22-20 lead near the midway point of the first half.
Gage Malensek (Brookfield, Wis./Central) tallied a game-high 22 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists to lead UW-W, which shot 54.2 percent from the floor.
Derek Gray (Madison, Wis./La Follette) was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field on his way to nine points off the bench.
Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) and
John Ittounas (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson) added eight points apiece, with Chislom adding a pair of blocks.
UW-Platteville (4-1, 4-1) shot 59.2 percent from the floor and committed only six turnovers during the game.
The Warhawks grabbed the early lead at 7-4 by the first media timeout after a layup by Ittounas with 15:59 on the clock.
The two teams traded baskets before the Pioneers ran off eight straight points for a 27-20 advantage at the 9:13 mark of the first half.
UW-Whitewater drew within one possession on four different occasions during the remainder of the period, but the Pioneers continued to respond. Ittounas hit a pair of free throws in the final minute of the half to bring the Warhawks within 41-34 at halftime.
UW-Platteville's lead remained at six or more until the 13:09 mark of the second half, when Chislom's two free throws brought UW-W within five. The Pioneers built their lead to double digits just over two minutes later.
Gray brought the Warhawks within six with 7:08 remaining following a 3-pointer.UW-P responded with a 3-pointer on the other end, and never led by fewer than six the rest of the way.
UW-Whitewater drew to within 71-65 on Chislom's free throws with 1:53 on the clock and had a chance to cut into the deficit following a defensive stop, but UW-Platteville made its own stop on the other end and scored four straight points to pull away.
The Warhawks and Pioneers take the floor again this Friday in Platteville. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
