By Christopher W. Lindeke, Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W

Playing its first game in more than a week, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team was unable to find an offensive rhythm Friday night, 12/6, in an 81-66 defeat at Calvin (Mich.) in a non-conference contest in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Warhawks (2-5 overall), playing their first of a two-game swing in Michigan, were held to 41.0 percent shooting from the floor and finished 0-for-12 from 3-point range.

The Knights (3-3) hit 50.9 percent of their shots, including 57.7 percent in the first half, when they jumped out to a 38-31 advantage.

Junior forward Equan Ards tallied a team-high 23 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Sophomore guard Bailey Kale posted 15 points, three rebounds and three assists, and freshman forward Trevon Chislom totaled 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor and added four rebounds.

Sophomore forward Jack Brahm collected nine points and a team-high five rebounds for UW-Whitewater, which finished with a 42-28 advantage on points in the paint.

The two teams traded baskets for the first five minutes before Calvin stretched to a 15-9 advantage at the 13:52 mark. The Warhawks embarked on an 8-0 run and led 17-15 at the midway point of the half following a layup by Ards.

A 7-0 run capped with 4:31 remaining gave the Knights a 28-21 lead. UW-Whitewater closed to within 32-29 with 1:46 on the clock following a pair of free throws by freshman guard James Burks, but Calvin closed the half on a 6-2 run for a seven-point halftime lead.

Ards opened the second half with three straight points to bring the Warhawks within 38-34 with 18:59 to play, but the Knights brought their lead to double digits just over a minute later.

UW-Whitewater got as close as six points at 54-48 with 13:09 left, but Calvin continued to withstand the Warhawks’ push, building its advantage to 75-58 at the 7:18 mark.

Senior forward Riley Jensen cut the UW-W deficit to 75-65 with 3:56 on the clock, but the Knights scored the next six points to put the game out of reach.

The Warhawks visit Alma Saturday, 12/7, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.