When it comes to NCAA Division III basketball, few things help sharpen a team's game more than the prospect of determining postseason seeding.

And the UW-Superior women's basketball team certainly found a motivated team standing across from them in the UW-Whitewater Warhawks Saturday afternoon.

Behind a huge game from forward Courtney Kumerow, the Warhawks took command late in the first half and never let up on the way to posting an 82-66 victory over the Yellowjackets at Kachel Gymnasium.

Kumerow finished with a game-high 29 points and added 17 rebounds as UW-Whitewater improved to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in league play with the victory.

UW-Superior meanwhile dropped to 18-6 overall and 10-5 in conference action heading into next weekend's regular season finale at UW-LaCrosse.

The Warhawks got off to a fast start in the first half, getting two quick baskets from Kumerow and two free throws from Mary Merg for a 6-0 lead just 1:14 into the opening half.

UW-Superior fought back to within 8-7 with 16:17 left in the first half after two free throws and a driving layup by Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) along with a free throw and layup by Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti).

A jumper by Hillary Peterson (Sturgeon Lake, Minn./Moose Lake) continued to keep matters close as the Yellowjackets found themselves trailing only 12-11 with 14:18 remaining on the clock before a jumper by Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) gave UW-Superior their first lead of the game at 19-18 at the 9:34 mark of the half.

The Yellowjackets continued to stay close for most of the half, coming to within 28-27 on another Linzmeier jumper with 3:26 remaining in the half.

But Kumerow led a one-player march to the free throw line, knocking down 14 straight free throws in the final 9:01, to ultimately help the Warhawks take a 38-30 lead into the half.

UW-Superior attempted to stay within striking distance early in the second half, coming to within 48-41 on a three-point play by Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) with 13:04 remaining in regulation.

The Warhawks pulled away from there however, scoring nine of the next 10 points to take a 57-42 lead on a Kaitlyn Thill three-pointer with 9:25 showing on the clock.

UW-Superior got no closer than 12 points the rest of the way as the Warhawks finished 32-of-39 from the free throw line for the game.

Linzmeier led the way for UW-Superior with 21 points while Urmanski added 11.

Kumerow finished 19-of-19 from the free throw line in scoring her game-high 29 points.  Thill added 15 points while Merg finished with 12 for UW-Whitewater.

Saturday's opening tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 5 p.m.  The game can be heard locally on 91.3 FM KUWS.  Matt Johnson will be on the call.