The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team nearly pulled off their second upset in a row, but ran out of time against No. 10 ranked UW-La Crosse in a heartbreaker at home.
The Warhawks and Eagles were neck-and-neck for most of the evening. UW-Whitewater opened the game with a 5-0 run after the Eagles scored the opening basket. From their neither team gave much ground, with the lead switching for the first minutes.
UW-La Crosse went on a 6-0 in the closing minutes of the first, but
JT Hoytink (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Sussex Hamilton) hit a buzzer beater from half-court to cut the Eagle lead to just six at the buzzer.
The 10th-ranked Eagles looked like they were going to run-away with the game after the break, quickly jumping out to a 12 point lead in the second half.
The Warhawks continued to stick with it, matching every UWL run. The Warhawks brought it in within one-point multiple times, but La Crosse used the free throw line to keep the lead.
With a minute left,
Collin Madson (Mukwonago, Wis./) delivered on a driving layup to make it a 76-75 game. The Eagles drew a foul to get both free throws, putting them back up by three. UWW came up empty on the last possession, with UWL sealing the game with a dunk on the other end.
Madson led the Warhawks with 17 points, adding 5 rebounds as well.
Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./) added 13 of his own with 9 rebounds.
Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) rounded out double-digit scorers with 11.
Jake Quast (Hinsdale, Ill./Central) led the Warhawks on the glass with 10 rebounds, with four on the off the offensive glass. Quast chipped in 9 points as well.
Luke Bara (Waukesha, Wis./Muskego) added 7 points and had a team-high three assists.
The Warhawks shot 42.3% (30-71) from the field while La Crosse made 54.7% of their shots (29-53). The Warhawks dominated the boards, with 41 rebounds to UWL's 36. 19 offensive boards led to 23 second chance points for UWW.
The Warhawks head back on the road to take on their third ranked team in a row. Men's basketball will head to UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday, January 25th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM.
