UW-Whitewater overcame a seven point second half deficit and prevailed in a game that was in doubt until the final possession, defeating UW-Platteville 65-62 in Kachel Gym of Williams Center in Whitewater, Wisconsin Wednesday night.   UW-W is 12-5 overall, 5-3 at the halfway point in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season.  UW-Platteville is 10-7, 3-5. Whitewater has won eight of its last nine games.

The pattern was established early, with nine lead changes in the first half.  Platteville 32-28 at the half. 

The Pioneers came out quickly in the second half, outscoring UW-W 9-2 to make it 41-32 at 16:13 on the completion of a three point play by freshman center Chas Cross.  That was the largest lead by either team in the game, but the Pioneers still led by eight, 47-39 with 11:57 on the clock.  UW-W finally drew even, 52-52, on a steal and three pointer by senior point guard Phil Negri at 7:39.  Whitewater's first lead of the second half came on a layup by freshman guard Eric Bryson, 65-54 at 6:47.  The largest lead by either team the rest of the way was a 60-56 lead by the Warhawks with 4:13 left. 

Senior guard Nick Allen tied the game, 62-62, with a three pointer with 2:09 left.  Junior center Chris Davis' jumper with 0:39 left gave Whitewater a 64-62 lead.  The Pioneers turned the ball over on their next possession, then fouled Warhawk sophomore guard Antone Byrd.  Byrd made the first of two free throws with six seconds left to make it 65-62.  Platteville rebounded the miss and called time out.  Their final play resulted in a turnover, with Byrd credited for the UW-W steal.

Platteville had 18 turnovers in the game, eleven in the second half, which may be the only slight difference in the game.  Both teams went 25-51 from the field.  Both made five three point baskets.  Whitewater scored three more points at the free throw line (10-18 to 7-8). 

Whitewater was led by Davis' game high 20 points and team high eight rebounds, and he tied for the team lead with four assists.  Alex Edmunds, a junior forward, scored 12 and freshman guard Cody Odegaard added 10.  Byrd contributed four assists and three steals.

Allen scored 18 to lead the Pioneers, with Cross scoring 15 and grabbing a game high nine rebounds.  Senior forward Eric Wall passed for three assists.

UW-Whitewater will host UW-Stevens Point Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00 in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.

For additional information:  Pat Miller, UW-W coach, millerp@uww.edu, 262-472-1146