The Falcon basketball team came up with a big 85-79 overtime win at UW-Whitewater on Saturday to remain undefeated and in first place in the WIAC.
With the win the Falcons improve to 13-2 overall and 6-0 in the WIAC.
Regulation time ended with the teams tied, 74-74. UWRF took the lead for good with about three minutes to go when
Aaron Anderson (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater HS) hit a three. UWW hit two three throws to draw within one with 2:50 to go.
Jontae Koonkaew (Apple Valley, MN, Apple Valley HS) then hit a jumper to put the Falcons ahead by three again, 79-76, with 1:08 to go Koonkaew was later fouled and he calmly stepped to the line to hit two free throws with 37 second to go to give UWRF a 81-76 lead. With just 24 seconds to go
Shane Manor (Altoona, UW-Superior) threw down a dunk to put an exclamation mark on the Falcon win.
The Falcons led for much of the first half but it was the Warhawks who had the halftime lead.
Jake Voeltz (River Falls, River Falls HS) hit a lay up with 11:39 to play to give the Falcons a 21-8 lead. UWW climbed to within 21-17 with 9:43 to go. The Falcons then went on a 10-2 run to go ahead, 31-19, with 6:09 to play. Anderson and
Danny Johnson (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater HS) each hit three pointers for the Falcons during the run. But UWW outscored the Falcons, 18-5, the rest of the way and led, 37-36 at the half. Voeltz led the Falcons with 11 points while Anderson and Manor each scored seven.
With 9:02 to play in the second half the Warhawks held a 61-49 lead. With just over six minutes to go UWW held a 67-57 lead. The Falcons went on a 7-0 run to climb to within 69-64 with 3:29 to play. Manor hit a three to get the Falcons to within five. With 1:31 to play Manor slammed home a dunk to get the Falcons to within 73-70. With UWW winning, 74-73,
Brian Kimble (Stevenson Ranch, CA, Coll. of Canyons JC) hit a free throw to tie the game with just three seconds to play and send the contest into overtime.
Voeltz had a huge game for the Falcons and finished with a double-double. He scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also finished with three blocks. He finished 10-18 from the field and 8-10 from the line. Manor added 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Kimble finished with 11 points and three assists while Anderson had 10 points.
The Falcons, ranked No. 15 in the D3hoops.com poll, won for the first time in seven years at UWW on Saturday. The 2004 Falcons took a 72-70 win at UWW.
UWRF will next host UW-La Crosse on Wednesday at the Karges Center. Action starts at 7 p.m.
Box Score
