The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team used a strong defensive effort and an efficient offense Saturday afternoon to defeat UW-River Falls 62-34 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest at Kachel Gymnasium.
The Warhawks (10-7 overall, 3-3 WIAC) held the Falcons to 22.2 percent shooting for the game and forced 23 turnovers while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor on the other end.
UW-River Falls (7-10, 1-5) made more free throws (12) than field goals (10) in the game.
Senior forward Olivia Freckmann tallied her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists and four steals. Senior forward Sarah Schumacher contributed 10 points, three rebounds and six assists, and junior guards Camri Conley and Megan Corcoran posted six points apiece.
The Warhawks scored the first six points of the game and shot 10-of-17 in the first quarter to take a 22-11 advantage. Corcoran gave the team its first double-digit lead at 15-4 on a 3-pointer with 3:21 remaining, and gave the team its largest lead at 22-10 on another 3-pointer with 11 seconds to go.
UW-Whitewater posted a 10-1 run to start the second quarter, taking a 32-12 advantage with 6:46 on the clock following a layup by senior center Becky Deichl.
The Warhawks cooled off for the remainder of the period but maintained its double-digit lead. The Falcons hit 8-of-12 from the free throw line in the quarter to trim their deficit to 34-21 by halftime.
UW-Whitewater tallied the first six points of the third quarter as Schumacher accounted for all six on a pair of buckets and two free throws. The team extended its lead to 21 by the end of the period as Conley knocked in a jumper with 15 seconds left.
The Warhawks didn't allow another point until the 4:41 mark of the fourth, expanding its advantage to 30 points with 5:04 to play on a bucket by Freckmann.
UW-Whitewater took its largest lead of the contest at 32 points when freshman guard Veronica Kieres made it 62-30 with 3:08 on the clock.
The Warhawks resume action at home Wednesday against UW-Platteville. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Kachel Gymnasium.