RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – The UW-River Falls men's basketball team hosted UW-Whitewater in the first round of the WIAC tournament on Wednesday night at Page Arena. The Falcons built a big lead early behind superb shooting, only to have Whitewater battle back to get the game within one deep into the second half. The Falcons never surrendered their lead and pulled away in the last minute to get the 79-68 win. Five Falcons scored in double figures with Brennan Witt leading the way with 20 points.
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-River Falls: 79, UW-Whitewater: 67
Location: Page Arena, River Falls, Wisconsin
Record: UW-River Falls: 17-8, 8-7 WIAC, UW-Whitewater 16-10, 6-9 WIAC.
WHAT HAPPENED
• A back and fourth game early, saw the first separation lean the way of the Falcons after Alex Herink hit from downtown to give the Falcons a 12-7 lead five minutes into the game.
• The Falcons, got the lead with hot shooting, and increased their lead to eleven when Devin Buckley hit nothing but nylon with 11:58 to play in the opening half. Falcons lead, 24-13.
• Clay Seifert got in on the action after getting a steal and heading the other way for a layup, 33-15 was the Falcon lead with just under nine minutes to play in the first half.
• The Warhawks would slowly chip away at the Falcon lead down the stretch of the first half. After a Marquis Turner layup, Whitewater trailed 39-25 with four minutes to play in the half.
• Continuing to apply the pressure, a Derek Rongstad jumper as time expired in the opening half would get the Warhawks within twelve. Halftime score, UWRF 45, UWW 33.
• The Warhawks picked up right where they left off to begin the second half. Back-to-back 3-point baskets from Mitchell Pfeifer and Derek Rongstad cut the Falcon lead back to single digits. Falcons led 47-39 just one minute into the second half.
• A Dalton Menke make from beyond the arc with just over thirteen minutes to play would narrow the margin to five. Falcons 57, Warhawks 52.
• The Falcons maintained their slim lead after Matt Keller knocked down both his free throws with ten minutes remaining in the game. Falcons led by 5.
• The Warhawks would get within two after Derek Rongstad hit one of two from the line with 9:40 to play.
• The action would continue to be tightly contested. A 3-point play from Whitewater's Marquis Turner got the Warhawks within one with just under five minutes to play in the game.
• As the back and forth action continued, the Falcon's Julian Jackson had a huge 3-point play to give the Falcons a seven point lead with two minutes to play.
• The Falcons pulled away down the stretch by hitting some crucial free throws and getting some fast break layups to beat the Warhawaks by a final of 79-67.
IN-DEPTH LOOK
• Brennan Witt led the Falcons with 20 points and was 8-11 from the field.
• Devin Buckley also added 17 points to the Falcon victory.
• As a team, the Falcons were 28-48 (58.3percent) from the floor. They made 8 three point shots and were 15-23 from the line.
THE OPPOSITION
• Derek Rongstad was big for the Warhawks as he put up 33 points and 9 rebounds.
• Mitchell Pfeifer also contributed 13 points in the Warhawks defeat.
• The Warhawks shot 23-60 (38.3 percent) from the field and were 12-21 as a team from the line.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Falcons will travel to the number one seeded UW-Platteville for a WIAC semifinal matchup this Friday, February 23 at 7:00 PM. UW-Oshkosh will travel to UW-Stevens Point in the other semifinal. The Championship game will Sunday, February 25 with the location yet to be determined.
