The UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team controlled key stretches to hold off the UW-Platteville Pioneers 66-51 to earn a key conference win Feb. 11. This result ties the season series at one apiece.
Whitewater and Platteville entered the game tied in conference standings, and with only a few regular-season games remaining, the matchup carried major importance.
Junior forward Brock Marino scored the Warhawks’ first bucket, then added an early three-pointer to help the Warhawks start on a 7-0 run. Marino would end with 10 points and five rebounds despite a minutes restriction due to foul trouble.
But momentum didn’t stay one-sided for long. Missed shots and a few defensive lapses allowed Platteville to respond, including a stretch of open layups that helped the Pioneers tie the game at 14 midway through the first half.
Whitewater got the much needed momentum back, mostly due to junior Collin Madson. The guard caught fire in the final six minutes, scoring 13 of the team’s final 15 points as the Warhawks closed the half on a 15-4 run.
Madson said once his first shot fell, everything began to click.
“I just felt kind of locked in,” he said. “My teammates were doing a great job of getting me the ball, setting screens and giving me great looks.”
Madson would go on to score an efficient 27 points, only missing two shots throughout the game.
The scoring surge helped Whitewater build momentum heading into the break after a back-and-forth opening period that ended with the Warhawks leading 29-18.
That momentum carried right into the second half. Senior guard Isaac Verges came up with a steal in transition that led to a Marino dunk one minute into the period. This energized the crowd and encouraged more defensive effort.
Verges’ aggressive play on both ends helped keep the Warhawks in control. Known for attacking downhill, the guard said his role is about creating advantages and making the right decision.
“When you get downhill, especially off ball screens, our bigs do a good job getting set,” Verges said. “If there’s no help, I’m going to finish. If there is help, we’re kicking it out. We do a really good job being unselfish and sharing the ball.”
Verges contributed 16 points and six rebounds, and also tacked on four steals.
Platteville remained competitive, knocking down six three-pointers in the second half, but Whitewater consistently answered and maintained its lead down the stretch.
(Charlie Clark)
Head coach Jarod Wichser pointed to improved interior defense and physical play as a major difference from the teams’ previous meeting.
“We did a better job winning inside,” Wichser said. “Points in the paint were massive, and our perimeter guys did a good job defensively as well.”
Whitewater also leaned on its depth, with 12 players seeing first-half minutes, something Wichser said reflects one of the team’s strengths.
Another key sign of progress, he added, was the team’s ability to maintain control late rather than letting momentum slip.
“We had that lead in the second half and we held that lead,” Wichser said. “That’s a huge sign of growth and maturity.”
This game means more than just an addition to the win column. In a highly contested WIAC title race, this victory bumped Whitewater up to second in the conference, a spot they currently share with UW-Oshkosh.
This win also comes after an emotional stretch of recent games decided by buzzer-beaters, so this was considered quite the break for the Warhawks. Madson said the steadier result was meaningful.
“It’s nice when you have a comfortable lead and you can just kind of build on that,” he said. “Just knowing you’re controlling the whole game, that’s always a good feeling.”
With the regular season winding down, Whitewater now applies their focus toward maintaining consistency as the conference tournament approaches.
Verges emphasized the importance of staying focused, especially during conference play.
“The margin of error is very small,” he said. “The biggest key is not taking possessions off and playing a full 40 minutes.”
The Warhawks also faced off against Eau Claire on Saturday, winning 76-68 to extend their winning streak to three games. Madson continued his scoring surge with 24 points. Junior guard Luke Bara also contributed greatly with 15 points.
The Warhawks travel to play UW-Stevens Point Feb. 18 and will return home for their last regular season game against UW-River Falls Feb. 21, hoping to end on a high note before the WIAC tournament.
