Men's Basketball handed first conference loss by No. 8 UW-Whitewater

WHITEWATER, Wis. – Eighth-ranked UW-Whitewater handed the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team its first conference loss of the season, 77-58, on Wednesday at Whitewater, Wis. 

The Pioneers (10-5, 5-1 WIAC) only scored two points in the final eight minutes of the first half as UWW (13-2, 4-2 WIAC) took a 31-18 lead into the break. 

UW-Platteville couldn't get out of the hole they put themselves in from the first half scoring drought. The Warhawks shot over 70 percent in the second half, and earned their largest lead of the game, 57-33, with 9:31 to play. 

UW-Whitewater didn't have answer for senior center Chas Cross as he went 7-for-7 from the field for a game-high 19 points. Senior Eric "Skip" Gerber and junior Jake Manning each added 11 points, while sophomore Boston Johnson scored eight points. 

UWW's Reggie Hearn netted a team-high 16 points, followed by Quardell Young with 14 points. 

The Pioneers will finally return to Bo Ryan Court on Saturday after being on the road for over six weeks, and take on UW-La Crosse at 7 p.m.