Cardinal Stritch led 10-8 with 15:45 left in the first half when UW-W went on a 10-2 run to take an 18-12 lead on a three-pointer by freshman forward Darnell Harris.  CSU's Jeremy D'Amico tied the game, and then gave the Wolves the lead with two free throws to make it 23-22 at 7:51.  Whitewater grabbed the lead back, taking a 42-37 advantage into the lockerroom.

The Wolves shot 57% in the first half hitting 4-5 from beyond the arc, which would usually give them a big lead.  However, Whitewater shot 67% from the floor in the first half, including 7-11 three's (64%).  UW-W junior guard Alex Merg led both teams with 11 points, hitting all three of his three point attempts.  Junior guard Derek Semenas topped CSU with nine.

UW-Whitewater started the second half with a 15-4 run to lead 57-44.  One minute later the Wolves cut the lead to 59-52, but by 8:20 the Warhawks had extended their lead to 16, 74-58.  The closest Stritch could get in the time remaining was nine points on three occasions.

Warhawks one-upped their first half shooting by hitting 14-18 (79%) in the second half.  UW-W set a season high, hitting 11 (of 17) three point shots.  Cardinal Stritch shot 47% in the second half and 51% for the game.  

Merg led UW-W with a career high 22 points, going 6-7 from the field and 4-4 on his three's.  Merg and the other four starters all scored in double figures, with junior guard Eric Bryson adding 17, Harris 16, sophomore guard Quardell Young had 12, and senior center Luke Knoble chipped in with 11. 

Cardinal Stritch also placed five players in double figures, led by Semenas' 19.  Junior guard Mike Simpson totaled 13, with sophomore guard Tony Smit and senior center Darren Moore both had 12, and D'Amico put ten points on the board.  Senior guard Nick Ford was the game leader with six assists.

UW-W will return to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday at UW-River Falls with a 3:00 tipoff.  The next home game for the Warhawks will be Wednesday, January 16 at 7:00, with UW-Oshkosh visiting Kachel Gym in Williams Center.  Call 262-427-2222 for ticket information.