The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team finished the 2024 calendar year with a 81-70 win over Ripon College on New Year's Eve.

Ripon opened the game with two statement baskets, jumping out to a 5-0 lead. But Luke Bara (Waukesha, Wis./Muskego) got things going for the Warhawks, hitting a three-ball to get the lid of the basket.

The Warhawks quickly took back the lead, fueled by a 12-0 run to jump out to a commanding lead. UW-Whitewater stayed on the gas, extending the lead to 20-points with 3-minutes left in the half. 

During that stretch, the Warhawks went on 30-9 run, shooting lights-out 7-for-10 from deep.

The Red Hawks went on 6-0 to end the half, cutting the lead down to just 14 points.

After the break, the Red Hawks showed they weren't going to go back to Ripon without a fight.

Ripon College slowly clawed back into the game, opening the half with a 19-9 run. The Red Hawks cut it down to just four points after back-to-back three pointers. 

UW-Whitewater stayed alive after some key three-point plays, but Ripon would cut it down to single-digits several more times before the final buzzer. The Warhawks cashed in from the free throw line, going 7-for-8 in crunch time. 

The Warhawks were led by Luke Bara (Waukesha, Wis./Muskego), who scored a collegiate-high 27 points on the night. Bara cashed in three shots from beyond the arc.

Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) added in a double-double, with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Barker led the team at the charity stripe, going 8-for-11.

Collin Madson (Mukwonago, Wis./) and Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./) rounded out the Warhawk double-digit scorers. Madson finished with 12 points, pulling down 6 boards. Capstran was just shy of his own double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The Warhawks return to action Saturday in Kachel Gym as UWW opens WIAC play against UW-River Falls. The Warhawks will tip-off after the women's game at 3:00 PM in a rare home doubleheader.