News Release

WHITEWATER, WI — On to Round Two, Warhawks Edge Elmhurst

UW-Whitewater advanced to the second round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III championship tournament with a 81-79 overtime win over host Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois Friday night. UW-W, 23-5, will face defending Division III champion Washington University of Saint Louis, 24-2, in the regional final at 7:00 Saturday in Elmhurst. Washington defeated Lawrence University 67-65 in the early regional semifinal Friday in Elmhurst.

Myles McKay could be excused if he had a sore back at halftime. The senior guard poured in 25 first half points, scoring more than half of Whitewater's total, to carry the Warhawks to a 46-38 halftime lead.

Whitewater increased the margin to eleven twice early in the second half, 51-40 and 53-42. With the Warhawks leading 65-55, Elmhurst went off 11-0 to take a 66-65 lead at 8:04. The teams traded baskets and defensive stops to a 74-74 tie with 0:32 left, and Elmhurst with the ball. After three timeouts, two by Elmhurst, Ryan Burks missed a three at the buzzer to send the game into OT.

With 1:34 left UW-W guard Tyson Kingsby hit a pair of free throws to give UW-W an 80-79 lead. McKay came through again, this time on the defensive end, blocking a Chris Childs shot with 1:16 left, and Kingsby made one of two free throws two seconds later for the final scoring in the game. Burks had another three attempt, with 0:49 left, that missed, which Whitewater followed with a Tyson Kingsby layup attempt that Childs blocked. Without stopping the clock Elmhurst went back to Burks for the win, but it missed as UW-W escaped.

As you would expect in a game this close there wasn't any noticeable difference in the team stats. Elmhurst had a 37-30 rebound advantage, but that was offset by Whitewater's five fewer turnovers. And so it went, down the line.

McKay finished with 30 points, adding a team-high nine rebounds and three steals. Dustin Mitchell added 15 points and Chris Vines 11 off the bench. Elmhurst had four players score in double figures, led by Brent Ruch's 23 and 22 from Burks, who went 9-9 from the free throw line. Childs contributed 11 points and Zack Boyd 10. Burks had a double double, chipping in with ten rebounds, sharing the game lead with teammate Robert Strzemp.

For additional information: Pat Miller, UW-W coach