The upset minded UW-River Falls Falcons (10-13, 8-6 WIAC) traveled to face the UW-Whitewater Warhawks (20-3, 13-1 WIAC) who showed why they are the top ranked team in the WIAC with an 85-66 victory over the Falcons.

When the teams first met in early January, the Falcons ended in a four point loss against the No. 1 Warhawks. On this night, the Falcons were outrun by the Warhawks as Jon Christensen led all scorers with 21 points and Garret Pearson added 12 off the bench.

The two teams were neck and neck with each other in the first half of the game as the Falcons led by three points at the end of the first half against the Warhawks who were coming a loss after a 13 game winning streak.

The Falcons trailed by as much as 10 points in the first half before charging back and finishing the half with an 8-0 run to take the lead into the half with Christensen leading the way with a layup with 1:03 to go in the first half to give the Falcons the lead into the half. Christensen lead all first half scorers with 15 first half points as well as adding four rebounds. The Warhawks were led by Steve Egan and Ron Patten with 10 points each.

The Falcons largest lead was the 35-32 score at the half. The second half was a different story as the Warhawks outscored the Falcons 51-31 and led by as much as 26 points. The Warhawks came out a different team in the second half as a 28-3 run to start the second half stunned the Falcons as they could not respond.

Coming out of the locker room the Warhawks, the defending national champions, responded with a championship type run lead by Cody Odegaard who only had 5 points at the half as well as Quardell Young who only had 6 points at the half. Odegaard finished with 19 and Young finished with 15 for the top ranked Warhawks.

Both teams shot the three point shot about the same at 11-29 (37.9%) for the Warhawks and the Falcons shot 8-22 (36.4%) lead by Young who had four three point buckets on seven shots. Christensen had three from downtown as well leading the Falcons.

Christensen was the hot shooter of the night with 21 points on 7-14 (50%) shooting, as well as eight rebounds for the Falcons. Garret Pearson added 12 points off the bench as well as five rebounds. Grant Erickson had nine points for the Falcons as well as five steals.

The loss puts the Falcons fourth in the WIAC after moving into third place for a few days in front of UW- Platteville. The Falcons will next face the Blugolds of Eau Claire at home on Wednesday with tip off set for 7 p.m.

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