News Release

Whitewater, WI — MEN’S BASKETBALL … UW-W Earns NCAA Championship Berth with WIAC Tourney Title



The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated UW-Stout 78-60 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship game Saturday night at Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The win gives UW-W the WIAC’s automatic berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Championship Tournament, which begins play Thursday, March 2.

UW-W has been down this road before. The Warhawks advanced to the league’s postseason tournament final four of the last five years, but finally broke through to earn UW-Whitewater’s first NCAA III tournament berth since 1997. UW-W has also been down the NCAA “road” before, with 2006 the school’s twelfth NCAA III appearance, and their first since 1997. Head coach Pat Miller played on the 1989 team, one of two national titles UW-W has earned (the other was 1984).

Stout never led in the game, and Whitewater’s lead was double digits from 15:19 in the first half through the end of the game. Senior guard Jeremy Manchester was the difference, equaling his career high with 27 points, including 20 to lead Whitewater to a 45-32 halftime lead. Manchester’s point total was also the most scored by a Warhawk this season. Junior guard Anthony Mlachnik added 13 points, and sophomore forward Rob Perry contributed 12.

The Blue Devils, who end 21-6, were led by sophomore guard Ryan Stangel with 20 points. Also in double figures for UW-S was senior forward Terry Farmer who collected a double-double, with 14 points and a game-high ten rebounds.

UW-W had a season low six turnovers in the win.

Whitewater, 22-5, also won the WIAC’s championship, determined by regular season standings, and entered the league tourney as the number one seed. The Warhawks also defeated UW-Eau Claire 88-47 Tuesday, UW-La Crosse 72-70 Thursday to get to the tourney championship game.

For Additional Information:
Pat Miller, UW-Whitewater Coach, (262) 472-1146
UW-W men’s basketball web site: www.uww.edu/athletics/mbasketball
WIAC men’s basketball web site: http://www.uwsa.edu/wiac/mbasket/index.html
NCAA III men’s basketball web site: http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/mens/schedules/diviii