Q is as cool as the other side of the pillow

Quardell Young scored a team-high 17 points to lead the Warhawks to a season-opening victory. UW-Whitewater defeated Beloit College, 75-68, Saturday. — Daily Jefferson County Daily Union photo by Josh Smith

Quardell Young started his sophomore season the same way he ended his freshman season on the UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team.

The Kenosha Bradford product came off the bench to score a game high 17 points Saturday night to fuel a the Warhawks 75-68 season opening win over Beloit College at Kachel gymnasium.

Young played a key role in keeping UW-Whitewater in the game, scoring nine of his team-high 17 points in the second half. Young scored six points in transition off of steals, including a dunk early in the second half to pull Whitewater within three points.

"He did a great job.. When we were struggling offensively, we were able to get him in some high ball-screen situations," Hawk head coach Pat Miller said of Young, who also led the team with three assists and four steals. "He did a great job of attacking the basket. He got to the rim over and over and was able to set up his teammates. Tonight, that was our best offense."

Flashback now to this past March’s NCAA Division III national championship, 63-60 win over Cabrini College (Penn) where Young keyed the comeback victory.

The freshman came off the bench to fuel a 17-2 second-half run with six straight points, helping Whitewater close within five with 9:41 to play.

"I was just trying to create some holes, and when I could, I could drive to the basket," said Young who finished with 10 points.

"Quardell got to some seams and got to the rijm and he's the type of player that when he gets confence he's unbelievable. That gave us the spark," Miller said.

Young and his teammates will compete in the Carthage College Classic Friday and Saturday. The Warhawks will open the four-team tounament vs. Aurora University at 6 p.m. Friday in Kenosha.

UWW will play either Carthage or Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday.