Defiance shocks Whitewater

Special to the Journal Sentinel

UW-Whitewater’s season reached a stunning conclusion Friday night.

The defending NCAA Division III champion, ranked No. 2 by D3hoops.com, fell apart on its home court in the second half. Defiance took advantage and coasted to a surprising 83-71 victory over the Warhawks in the first round of the D-III tournament at Kachel Gymnasium.

Whitewater (24-4) appeared to be on its way to a matchup with St. Olaf as it opened a 3628 lead at the break.

But the Yellow Jackets (22-6), who had never won a DIII tournament game, erupted for 55 points in the second half.

Travis Schomaeker led the Yellow Jackets with 26

points.

Elmhurst 110, St. Norbert

98: Kyle Wuest had 32 points and the Bluejays (20-7) outlasted the host Green Knights (24-2) in triple overtime in a D-III first-round game. Austin Elliott scored 31 points for St. Norbert.

UW-Stevens Point 88, Concordia 56: Austin Ryf’s 22 points paced the host Pointers (21-5) in a victory over the Cardinals (19-9) in a D-III firstround game. The Pointers host Illinois Wesleyan (19-8) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

DIVISION III WOMEN

UW-Oshkosh 87, North Central 82: Eliza Campbell poured in 29 points and the Titans (23-6) held off the Cardinals in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Titans will play

Calvin College (28-0) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Luther 72, St. Norbert 61: The Norse (23-5) turned back the Green Knights (22-4) in St. Paul, Minn.

Wisconsin Lutheran 70,

Wheaton 67: Kristen Schulz scored 27 points and the Warriors (24-4) edged the 10thranked Thunder (24-4) in overtime in Wheaton, Ill. The Warriors face Hope (23-4) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

HORIZON

Illinois-Chicago 72, Oakland 69: Lance Whitaker drilled a three-pointer and Ahman Fells followed with a layup down the stretch as the Flames (10-23) advanced to play UW-Green Bay in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Saturday in Valparaiso, Ind.