Related Links:
WIAC Tournament Web Page
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team stayed within striking distance but was unable to take the lead in the second half Thursday night in an 86-77 setback at No. 3 UW-Oshkosh in a semifinal of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament (presented by Culver's).
 
The Warhawks made their 13th appearance in the WIAC semifinals in program history and finished with a 15-11 record for the season. UW-W placed fourth in the conference regular season standings with a 7-6 record.
 
UW-Whitewater shot 47.4 percent from the floor, including 38.1 percent from 3-point range, and hit 15-of-18 at the free-throw line. UW-Oshkosh (21-3) made 56 percent from the field, including 46.7 percent from 3-point range, and made 23-of-32 free throws.
 
Derek Gray (Madison, Wis./La Follette) recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists and two steals. Gage Malensek (Brookfield, Wis./Central) tallied 14 points and four assists, while Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) posted 10 points.
 
Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) registered nine points off the bench. Jack Brahm (Bayside, Wis./Glendale Nicolet) collected six points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals, and Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) and Drew Fisher (Oconomowoc, Wis./Oconomowoc) finished with six points apiece.
 
The two teams traded baskets over the first seven-plus minutes before the Titans stretched their lead to six with 12:14 remaining in the first half. UWO led by as many as seven before the Warhawks rallied to tie the game at 23-23 with 7:15 left following a pair of free throws by Capstran.
 
UW-Oshkosh led over the remainder of the half, knocking down a 3-pointer in the final minute of the period for a 42-33 halftime advantage.
 
UW-Whitewater scored the first eight points of the second to pull within 42-41 at the 17:41 mark. The Titans rallied for 10 straight points for a 11-point lead with 14:53 to play.
 
The Warhawks stayed within striking distance, pulling to within four on two separate occasions. UW-Oshkosh stretched its lead to eight with 5:45 to go and to 12 with 3:45 remaining.
 
UW-Whitewater drew to within five on a layup by Fisher with 2:34 left. The Titans hit 11-of-14 from the free-throw line over the final 2:12 to seal the game.
 
Brahm, Brian Conaghan (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) and Paul Kingsley (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia) comprise the Warhawks' 2022 senior class. The trio helped UW-W to a 14-win improvement in 2021-22.