With the score 9-9 with 15:09 left in the first half, UW-L reeled off the next nine points to lead 18-9 on layup by freshman forward Derek Braucht at 13:13.  That was followed immediately by a 10-0 Whitewater run, with senior center Chris Davis (Madison/East) hitting a three to make it 19-9 with 11:47 left in the half.  From that point the largest lead the rest of the half was UW-L's 22-19 advantage at 10:14.

Davis had 16 points in the first half, and Braucht led UW-L with 11.

From 16:47 to 12:25 in the second half Whitewater outscored La Crosse 10-0 to take a 47-35 lead.  After a brief 12 point margin at 49-37, the margin yo-yoed from ten points (four times) to four points, but UW-W never lost control.  UW-W sophomore guard Alex Merg (Greendale) hit two free throws with 0:35 left in the game for a 67-59 lead, which UW-L sophomore guard Braden Tice cut to 68-62 with a three-pointer with 0:25 remaining.  The Eagles fouled senior center Chris Davis (Madison/East) to stop the clock, but Davis foiled that strategy by hitting both free throws with 0:23 left.  Braucht got off another three attempt that Davis rebounded, and then got fouled, sending him to the line again. Davis made both shots to give UW-W its fourth ten point lead of the half, 72-62, with thirteen seconds on the clock. 

Davis' free throws at end of the game were the icing on the cake as UW-W went 24-27 from the line (89%).  La Crosse went 11-19 at the line and 5-23 (22%) from beyond the arc.  Whitewater, the top defensive team in the WIAC in terms of both points allowed and field goal percentage by opponents, held the Eagles to 38% shooting from the floor.  UW-W also enjoyed a 38-29 rebound advantage.  La Crosse countered with an 8-16 advantage in turnovers.

Davis led both teams with 27 points and 12 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season.  Davis' evening included 10-10 from the free throw line.  Junior forward Luke Knoble (Boscobel), with ten points, was the only other Warhawk in double figures.  Senior guard Cory Degner topped UW-L with 17 points and six rebounds, also contributing a game high four steals.  Braucht wound up with 15 for the Eagles.

UW-W will travel to Platteville Wednesday, February 8 for a 7:00 tipoff.  The next home contest for the Warhawks, and final home contest of the regular season, will be Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 versus UW-Oshkosh.


For additional information:  Pat Miller, UW-W coach