Dana Thompson totaled game-highs of 25 points and 10 offensive rebounds as nationally ranked UW-Whitewater gained a 65-58 win over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Wednesday (Feb. 16) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Warhawks (19-5/11-4 WIAC), ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, snatched 22 offensive boards in the contest. Thompson compiled 14 total rebounds and nailed 11-of-13 free throws. UW-Whitewater also used 10 points and four steals from Kaitlyn Thill and 10 points by Chantel Burg.

The Titans (12-13/7-9 WIAC) could not have gotten off to a better start, as they drained their first five shots. Five different players contributed a bucket, concluding with Megan Wenig's (So. • Oshkosh) jumper that pulled UW-Oshkosh within 11-10 at the 14:52 mark.

Both teams cooled off from the field, but that didn't stop the Warhawks. The visitors corralled the offensive rebound on eight of their first 13 misses. As they held the Titans scoreless for more than six minutes, UW-Whitewater tallied 14 unanswered points. Thompson marked four straight to help post a 26-14 lead with 6:16 on the clock.

UW-Oshkosh ended its scoring drought with four successful free throws. After back-to-back lay-ins by Shelby Churchill (Sr. • Sheboygan), the Titans cut their deficit to seven (31-24). UW-Whitewater captured a 39-26 cushion at intermission following three-pointers by Thill and Mary Merg.

Four lay-ups, including two by Becca Diedrich (Fr. • Two Rivers), made it a 43-34 score early in the second period. After the Warhawks extended their cushion to 12 (48-36), UW-Oshkosh went on a 12-2 scoring run. Churchill accounted for the last eight points of the streak to obtain a 50-48 deficit with 9:19 left.

UW-Oshkosh could never break through, as Thill connected on a clutch triple with 4:16 remaining. Thompson added six foul shots in the closing 1:52 to keep UW-Whitewater in front. The Warhawks finished the contest with 13-of-18 accuracy at the charity stripe (72 percent).

The Titans were paced by Churchill, who tallied 22 points and 12 rebounds in her final home game. Diedrich added 10 points, seven boards and four blocked shots for UW-Oshkosh, which hit just 1-of-8 deep jumpers. The Titans totaled 37 percent shooting overall and 19-of-21 connections at the foul line (91 percent).

UW-Whitewater forced 19 turnovers while committing 11 of its own. The Warhawks compiled 33 percent shooting, including 29 percent from downtown (6-21). Merg tacked on nine points, six rebounds and four steals for the visitors.

UW-Oshkosh will be on the road for a WIAC Tournament game on Wednesday (Feb. 23).