by Chris Lindeke, Asst. Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team fell behind early and was unable to recover from the deficit Wednesday night, January 8 in a 68-54 defeat at UW-Stevens Point in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest.

The Warhawks (5-8 overall, 0-2 WIAC) held the Pointers to 39.1 percent shooting in the second half but were unable to mount a comeback, drawing as close as nine in the period.

Sophomore guard Bailey Kale tallied 19 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead UW-Whitewater. Junior forward Equan Ards collected 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, senior forward Riley Jensen totaled seven points, five rebounds and four steals, and sophomore guard Jack Brahm compiled seven points and four rebounds.

The Pointers (10-3, 2-0) scored the first 10 points of the contest and led 19-1 through six minutes of action.

UW-Stevens Point grabbed its largest lead of the half at 30-11 with 5:44 on the clock before UW-Whitewater chipped away at its deficit, drawing to within 35-25 with 42 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws by Jensen. The Warhawks trailed 37-25 at halftime.

The Pointers’ advantage swelled to 15 by the 14:30 mark of the second half before four straight points by Ards brought UW-Whitewater to within 46-35 with 13:42 left.

UW-Stevens Point built its lead up to 16 one minute later, but Kale sparked a 7-0 run with five straight points and the deficit was down to nine with 10:28 on the clock.

UW-W drew to within nine again with 1:50 to play, but was unable to draw any closer.

The Warhawks play at home for the first time since Nov. 22 this Saturday against UW-River Falls. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. at Kachel Gymnasium.