By: Christian van Helden, Athletic Communications Intern
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team was unable to find its offensive rhythm in the first half Saturday night during a 74-68 setback against UW-La Crosse in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at Kachel Gymnasium.
 
Despite winning the rebounding battle 40-26, including a 17-4 margin on the offensive glass, the Warhawks dropped to 4-6 in the WIAC and 13-8 overall on the season. The team is currently in a three-way tie for fifth place in the league standings with UW-Stevens Point and UW-Platteville with four games to play in the regular season.
 
UW-La Crosse (14-7, 8-2 WIAC) shot 61.5 percent from the floor and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line in the second half to stave off a UW-Whitewater rally.    
 
The Warhawks had three players score in double digits. Junior guard Haki Stampley (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) led the way with 20 points while also finishing with three rebounds, one steal and one block. Senior forward White dropped in 19 points, dished out four assists and grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman guard Andre Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) scored 10 points and tied White for the team lead with nine rebounds.  
 
The Eagles started the game on a 5-1 run. White got the Warhawks on the board by going 1-of-2 from the free throw line with 14:59 in the first half. UW-Whitewater countered with a 5-1 run of its own to tie the game at 6-6.
 
A Stampley 3-pointer gave the Warhawks their first lead of the game at 11-9. UW-Whitewater would build a 15-11 lead, capped by a one-handed dunk from senior center Isaac Quinn (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper). The Eagles countered with a 7-0 run to take a 18-15 lead with 5:46 left in the half. UW-La Crosse took a 26-20 lead into halftime. 
 
UW-La Crosse never trailed in the second half, stretching its lead to as many as 15 points before one final push by the Warhawks over the final 4:11 of play.
 
UW-Whitewater looks to rebound Wednesday at UW-Platteville at 7 p.m.