The Warhawk women's basketball team rolled past Clarke College 74-42 Saturday night in Dubuque, Iowa.

Whitewater took over the lead, 5-4, at 14:50 on a free throw by junior guard Jamie Swanson and didn't trail the rest of the way. The Warhawks compiled their largest lead of the first half at 6:06, 19-11. The Crusaders fought back to within one twice but the teams headed into the locker room with UW-W leading 29-26.

Clarke tied the score 29-29 to start the second half on a three pointer by freshman guard Jenna Kotas. The Warhawks answered with a 6-0 run and began a 14-0 run a minute later to go up 53-33 with 9:40 left in the game. Whitewater's defense held the Crusaders scoreless during a 13-0 run to give the Warhawks a 70-39 advantage late in the game to seal the win.

UW-W's defense held Clarke to just 16 points in the second half and the 42 total points is the fewest allowed by Whitewater since a 63-40 win over UW-Stout February 7, 2009. The margin of victory was the largest since UW-W's 92-61 win over UW-Eau Claire last season.

The Warhawks shot 38 percent (21-54) from the floor to the Crusaders 28 percent (12-42). Whitewater's biggest advantage in the game came from the charity stripe knocking down 82 percent (28-34) while Clarke shot just 55 percent from the line. The Warhawk defense came up with 13 steals and grabbed 27 rebounds (46 total rebounds). The Crusaders took the ball away six times and totaled 30 rebounds.

Swanson and junior guard Emily Bestor led Whitewater with 11 and 10 points respectively. Three other Warhawks contributed with eight points apiece including freshman guard Kaitlyn Thill who was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line, freshman guard Katie Burton and junior forward Chantel Burg. Senior center Dana Thompson grabbed a game high eight rebounds. Burg and teammate sophomore forward Courtney Kumerow had six rebounds each.

Sophomore guard Morgan Sullivan led the Crusaders with eight points and two steals. Senior guard Shatisha Lewis had six rebounds.

The Warhawks, mentioned in 'others receiving votes' in the D3hoops.com poll, improves to 3-1 this season. Clarke falls to 2-7.

Whitewater begins 2010-11 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Wednesday, December 1 at UW-La Crosse. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00. UW-W will open its home season Wednesday, December 8 against UW-Stevens Point at 7:00.