Men's Basketball downed by No. 13 UW-Whitewater in non-conference play

WHITEWATER, Wis. – Thirteenth-ranked UW-Whitewater built a big lead early as they downed the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Basketball team, 106-70, in non-conference action Monday night from Kachel Gym.

The Warhawks sprinted out to a 22-3 lead in the opening 5:34 as they were dominant throughout the first half. UW-W shot 63.9 percent (23-for-36) from the floor and got 15 first-half points from reserve Steve Egan as they took a 59-25 lead into the break. CUW shot just 31.8 percent (7-for-22) from the floor before halftime.

The Falcons played much stronger in the second 20 minutes, shooting 40 percent (14-for-35) from the field and scoring 45 points after the break. Freshman guard Eric Kittel (Brillion, Wis.) scored all 10 of his points in the second half, recording his first double-digit game of his young career.

Sophomore guard Bradley Prinsen (Oostburg, Wis.) also finished in double-figures for CUW as he recorded 14 points. The Falcons had 12 players score in the game with sophomore Keith Kahlfeldt (New Berlin, Wis.), junior Brett Boettcher (New Holstein, Wis.) and senior Steven Brodie (Oak Park, Calif.) finishing with seven points. Kahlfeldt added a team-best seven rebounds, but it was Whitewater who held a big edge on the boards, outrebounding CUW 46-30.

Egan finished with a game-high 20 points for the Warhawks, being one of four players to finish in double-figures. KJ Evans added 15 points, while Reggie Hearn and Cody Odegaard chipped in with 11 each.

Both teams had plenty of opportunities from the free throw line Monday as the two combined for 70 attempts. CUW knocked down 24-of-38 from the line (63.2 percent), while UW-W made 23-of-32 (71.9 percent). Kittel was a perfect 6-for-6 for the Falcons.

The Falcons will aim for their first victory of 2013-14 Saturday in their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener against Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Falcons and Warriors are scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff from the Recreation Complex in Milwaukee.