The No. 19 University of Wisconsin- Whitewater women's basketball team defeated UW-Stevens Point 71-54 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest Wednesday evening.
The Warhawks (17-3 overall, 7-3 WIAC) outscored the Pointers 22-4 and shot 69.2 percent compared to 15.4 percent by the UW-Stevens Point in the fourth quarter.
Senior forward Andrea Meinert lead the Warhawks with 15 points. Senior guard Malia Smith, junior center Sarah Schumacher, and sophomore guard Camri Conley each added 12 points for UW-Whitewater.
Senior guard Brooke Trewyn found Meinert inside for a basket with just under one minute to play in the first to give the Warhawks a 13-5 lead, which was their largest of the quarter. Meinert scored 7 of her 15 points in the first quarter to help the Warhawks remain on top at the end of the period.
UW-Whitewater started the second quarter on an 8-3 run. A basket inside by Sarah Schumacher put the Warhawks ahead by four points with 5:50 remaining in the half.
UW-Stevens Point (9-11 overall, 3-6 WIAC) fought its way back and took the lead, 24-23, with just under four minutes remaining in the period.
The Warhawks and the Pointers continued to trade baskets until the final seconds of the half, recording seven lead changes in the second quarter between the two teams. UW-Stevens Point left the half on top, 30-29.
Junior guard Juliette Vainisi sparked the Warhawks on the offensive end, sinking two 3-pointers and contributing eight points in the third quarter.
Conley earned a trip to the line and made both free-throws giving the Warhawks their first lead of the quarter, 47-46, with 1:11 remaining.
UW-Whitewater went on a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter and forced UW-Stevens Point to take a timeout with just under five minutes remaining in the game. The Warhawks continued to extend the lead.
A mid-range jumper from Conley gave the UW-Whitewater a 15-point lead with two and a half minutes remaining in play. Schumacher finished a basket inside and tallied UW-Whitewater's final points in the game.
The Warhawks forced 19 turnovers and recorded 10 steals in the victory. UW-Whitewater shot 18-for-25 from the free-throw line compared to 8-of-15 from UW-Stevens Point.
UW-Whitewater women's basketball continues play Saturday, Jan. 3, against UW-Stout at 3 p.m. in Kachel Gymnasium.