The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team were defeated by UW-Stevens Point 81-79, in a WIAC Tournament classic. The Warhawks battled the whole way, overcoming a 26-point deficit to force a game that came down to the wire. 

The Warhawks (fifth seed) headed to the Pointers (fourth seed) home gym for the first round of the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's). Collin Madson (Mukwonago, Wis./) kept the Warhawks even to start the game, hitting two early threes pointers to put the Warhwks up 8-5. But the Pointers answered back with five threes in a row, going on a 15-2 run.

With the early lead and momentum, the Pointers started to pile on the points & pull away. At the end of the first half, UWSP led the Warhawks by 26, at 58-32.

Coming out of the break, the Warhawks didn't shy away from the challenge ahead of them. Madson hit another three, with Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./) hitting two treys to propel the Warhawks on a 12-0 run to open the second half. 

UW-Stevens Point started to find their shot, but the Warhawks were hungrier. Another 12-0 run for the Warhawks cut the lead to just five with 10-minutes to go. 

Minutes later, a Darius Chestnut (Sun Prairie, Wis./West) jumper put the Warhawks in the lead for the first time since the beginning of the game. 

The Pointers regained control, putting the lead back up to five. Heading into the closing minutes, the Warhawks knocked the lead down to just three at 76-79.

With three seconds left, Collin Madson (Mukwonago, Wis./) hit a crucial three-pointer tying the game at 79-a-piece. 

With under a second left, the Pointers had a chance at the free throw line. They hit both, taking the game 81-79.

Madson led the Warhawks with a career-high 25 points. The sophomore hit four three-pointers & went a perfect 7-for-7 from the line. Madson also led the taem with 6 rebounds.

Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./) added another 22 points, hitting four threes of his own. Capstran was also active on the defensive end, leading the team with three steals.

Richie Warren (Racine, Wis./Park) added in 15 points to round out the double-digit scorers. Isaac Verges (Franklin, Wis.) added in eight points, matching Luke Bara (Waukesha, Wis./Muskego) with a team-high 4 assists.