Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Joy Kowald Junior Matt Goodwin goes hard to the rim for a layup in UW-Whitewater's 92-64 win over UW-Stout. Goodwin hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 29 points.

The Warhawk men's basketball team extended its winning streak to six games Saturday night with a 92-66 thumping of the UW-Stout Blue Devils.

While the temperature in Whitewater plunged well below zero, 'Hawks guard Matt Goodwin provided more than enough heat to warm up Kachel Gymnasium. The Milwaukee native torched the Blue Devils defense with 29 points, including a 7-of-8 display from 3-point range.

"I think we did a good job moving the ball," Goodwin said. "I hit my open shots, but the team did a good job passing the ball."

UW-Whitewater, ranked No. 10 in the D3hoops.com poll, won six of seven games over the semester break, pushing its record to 6-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 13-2 overall.

Although the 'Hawks sit atop the conference standings, the team suffered a major blow last Wednesday when all-WIAC forward Rob Perry sustained a potential season-ending injury in practice.

"I went up for a layup in practice, and the defender came right down on my foot," Perry said. "So I broke the number 15 bone in my foot, my pinkie bone."

Perry, who averaged 15 points and 5.3 rebounds through the 'Hawks first 14 games, is expected to miss six to eight weeks. His best chance to return to the lineup is the opening round of the Division III championship tournament, meaning the 'Hawks will most likely have to qualify without his services.

"I've been playing basketball since I was seven," Perry said. "So I want to cry right now, but you can't do that. I'm just here for my team, to support them. It's hard. I love the game, and I love to play."

Fresh off Saturday's impressive performance, Goodwin believed the team rallied well in the aftermath of Perry's injury.

"It was a team collective effort," Goodwin said. "Missing Rob Perry, with his injury, you can't replace him. I think tonight, a lot of guys stepped up."

Perry remains hopeful he can return to game action, and downplayed any concerns about playing while less than 100 percent healthy.

"If I can see that court again, it's going to be the old me," Perry said.

UW-Whitewater looks to stay hot tonight when it hosts the UW-Platteville Pioneers at 7 p.m.

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