The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated Averett 58-47 to open up the North Beach Plastic Surgery Winter Classic in Virginia Beach. 

The two teams battled closely for the first half, but a 13-0 run by the Warhawks put them up by 15 at the break. 

In the first half, UWW capitalized on turnovers, scoring 10 points off the Cougars' eight turnovers while only committing four themselves. They also dominated from beyond the arc, hitting four of nine 3-point attempts.

The Warhawks balanced scoring showed, with 14 points coming off the bench in the first half.

In the second half, Averett closed the gap, but the Warhawks lead was too much for the Cougars to overcome. 

The Cougars scored 27 to the Warhawks' 23 in the second half. UWW kept the game alive on the offensive glass, scoring nine second-chance points and holding Averett to just two. The Warhawks outrebounded Averett 32-21 in total rebounds.

Joey Berezowitz (Burlington, Wis./) led the scoring as the only Warhawk with double-digits. Berezowitz finished with 12 points, with all four coming from behind the arc. 

Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) and Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./) each added 9 points, with COllin Madson chipping 8 points and 6 rebounds.

UWW is back on the court tomorrow as they face the host Virginia Wesleyan ont he second day of the North Beach Plastic Surgery Winter Classic. The game is scheduled for 3 PM.