The No. 15 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team posted a complete performance Wednesday night in a 86-61 victory against UW-Eau Claire in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup at Kachel Gymnasium.
The Warhawks (12-2 overall, 2-1 WIAC) sank 11 threes and forced 20 UW-Eau Claire turnovers in the matchup.
Senior guard Malia Smith lead the Warhawks with a season-high 23 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Sophomore guard Becky Raeder added a career-high 17 points and senior guard Brooke Trewyn tallied 10 points.
Smith scored nine of her 23 point in the first quarter to help the Warhawks record a 25-18 lead. UW-Whitewater shot 8-of-11 from the free-throw line in the quarter compared to just 3-of-4 for the Blugolds (10-4 overall, 2-1 WIAC).
UW-Whitewater continued to extend its lead in the second quarter. Raeder recorded back-to-back baskets with less than two minutes remaining in the half and gave the Warhawks a lead of 49-33.
The Warhawks continued to extend their lead in the third quarter. Freshman guard Rebekah Schumacher found junior center Sarah Schumacher inside, and Sarah Schumacher recorded a three-point play with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter, which gave the Warhawks a 59-40 lead.
UW-Whitewater recorded three steals in the first minute of the fourth quarter, resulting in four points from Smith. Junior forward Olivia Freckmann earned a trip to the line with 7:21 remaining in the game and gave the Warhawks a lead of 82-47, their largest of the game.
The Warhawks sparked their offensive success on the defensive end, recording 26 points of off UW-Eau Claire's turnovers. UW-Whitewater outrebounded UW-Eau Claire 44-32 and tallied 16 points on offensive rebounds.
UW-Whitewater will continue play Saturday, Jan. 13, at UW-Stout at 3 p.m. in Menomonee Falls.