UW-Whitewater used a 17-0 surge early in the first half on the way to a 58-42 win over the University of Dubuque in Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater Saturday in a NCAA Division III Championship Tournament game.  UW-W, 24-4, advances to second round play Saturday, March 9.  UW-W will face the winner of North Central College, 24-3, and Centre College, 21-5, contest which is being played in Naperville, Illinois Saturday night.

Both teams endured long scoring droughts in the first half.  Fortunately for UW-Whitewater, the Warhawks outscored Dubuque 17-0 after the Spartans scored the first basket of the game.  Guard Quardell Young's three pointer at 12:24 made it 17-3 Whitewater.  Dubuque ended its dry spell, which lasted 7:28, finally raising their point total to 5.  Despite its own scoring problems, which lasted from 5:46 to 1:04, UW-W went into the lockerroom with a 29-18 lead.

Whitewater shot 48% from the field, Dubuque 32%.  Neither team made any headway at the line, Whitewater going 2-6 and Dubuque 0-3.  Young and backcourt mate Alex Merg led UW-W with seven first half points, apiece.  Senior forward Jordan Townsend led Dubuque with five points in the half.

Dubuque climbed under double figures on a layup by Lucas Ware at 14:57, with UW-W leading 34-26.  The Spartans whittled away some more, pulling within 39-33 at 11:18 on jumper by freshman guard Andre Norris.  UD was still within seven, 43-36 at 6:54, and 45-38 at 5:29.  With 5;09 on the clock Eric Bryson hit a three to push the Warhawk lead back to ten, 48-38, and Darnell Harris blunted a comeback attempt with a three with 4:17 left, giving UW-W a 51-38 lead.  The final score was the largest margin of the game.

Whitewater wound up shooting 49% from the field, Dubuque 34%.  UW-W's mark includes 9-14 from three point range, where Dubuque went 4-18.  The teams combined for 14 free throw attempts, making five, both season lows in UW-W game.

Young led UW-Whitewater with 14 points, followed by Bryson's 13.  Young also dished out a game high four assists, Bryson took game honors with nine rebounds, and senior center Luke Knoble led both teams with three steals.  Frazier and Norris scored ten apiece for the Spartans.

UW-Whitewater will continue play Saturday.  The University of Dubuque ends the year 22-7.