The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team battled back from down by more than 20 points, but were cut short by the clock, falling to 16th-ranked UW-Platteville, 81-72.

A defensive battle in the first half, the Warhawks only led 16-15 12 minutes into the game. The game flip-flopped back and forth for the remaining minutes of the first half, before the Pioneers hit two back to back three pointers to give them a 5 point lead. 

UW-Platteville looked to finish the first half with another 6-0 run, before Elijah Lambert (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) connected on a lay-up to cut the Warhawk's deficit to just 7 points at the break. 

For most of the second half, UW-Platteville let loose a three-point barrage, quickly extending their lead. With 6 minutes left on the clock, the Pioneers had their largest lead of the night at 21 points. 

The Warhawks closed out the game strong, cutting into the 21 point deficit. In the final four minutes, the Warhawks went on an 18-6 run, and turned a 21 point game into single digit loss.

Lambert and Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) led the Warhawks in scoring, both with 10 points. Delvin Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Lutheran) was just one-point shy of a double double, scoring 9 points and 10 rebounds.

James Kelley (Milwaukee, WI/St. John's Northwestern Military Academy) and Joey Berezowitz (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) led the team defensive. Berezowitz had 3 steals while Kelley swatted away two shots.

The Warhawks will return to Kachel Gym on Saturday, February 17th to take on UW-River Falls in the Regular season finale. The men's team will honor the seniors before the game, followed by recognizing the 1984, 1989, 2012, and 2014 national championship teams as part of their Night of Champions.