Box Score

 WHITEWATER – The second-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team fell today to 20th-ranked UW-Whitewater by a score of 83-77 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opener at Kachel Gym.

 The loss drops the Pointers record to 3-1 overall, while the Warhawks stay perfect this season with a record of 4-0. The loss snaps a nine-game win streak for the Pointers against WIAC opponents.

 The first eight minutes of the contest was close as neither team had a lead of more than three points. With the score tied 17-17, the Warhawks went on a 7-0 run to take a 24-17 advantage with 9:17 left in the first half. Whitewater built its lead to seven with 5:29 left, but the Pointers then outscored the Warhawks 13-3 over the next four minutes to take a 34-31 lead. However, the Warhawks scored the last four points of the half to take a 35-34 halftime lead.

 Stevens Point shot 42 % in the first half and was 3-of-10 on three-point attempts. The Warhawks shot 57 % in the half and were 8-for-10 from the free throw line.

 The Pointers started the second half fast making their first four field goals, including a three-pointer by Pete Rortvedt (Minocqua/Lakeland) (Jr.-Minocqua/Lakeland) that gave Stevens Point 43-37 lead. With the score 48-42 Pointers with over 16 minutes left, Whitewater would go on a 10-0 run to take a 52-48 lead with 14:03 left. The Warhawks did not relinquish the lead the rest of the game.

 The Warhawks extended their lead to nine with 7:27 on the clock, but the Pointers fought back. Stevens Point cut the lead to 75-74 after a Jerome Wotachek (Mishicot/Mishicot) (Jr.-Mishicot) put back with 1:09 remaining. Unfortunately, that's as close they would get as the Warhawks were 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute to knock off the second-ranked Pointers 83-77.

 Stevens Point uncharacteristically struggled from the free throw line in the second half going 4-for-9 with all five of the misses coming in the final four minutes. The Pointers shot 48 % for the game and were 8-for-21 from beyond the three-point line. The Warhawks shot 62 % from the field, including 68 % in the second half. Whitewater was 18-for-22 from the free throw line in the second half.

 Steve Hicklin (Sussex/Hamilton) (Sr.-Sussex/Hamilton) led the Pointers with 18 points. Pete Rortvedt (Minocqua/Lakeland) chipped in 14 points and Jerome Wotachek (Mishicot/Mishicot) added 10 points. Bryan Beamish (Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) had six rebounds and six assists to lead Stevens Point. Rob Perry had a game-high 23 points for Whitewater.

 The Pointers travel to La Crosse Wednesday night to face the Eagles. The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.