Despite the respite in winter weather, both teams came out of the lockerroom cold.  UW-L senior center Kassie Robinson scored the first basket of the game at 17:18, and UW-W junior center Cortney Kumerow (Bartlett/South Elgin) followed at 16:58 with the Warhawks' first points.  At 9:32 Whitewater was up 15-8, the largest lead by either team in the first half.  Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Thill (Belgium/Ozaukee) hit a free throw line jumper with :04 left, and hit a free throw for the old fashioned three point play that put the Warhawks in front 31-25 at intermission.

La Crosse shot 47% from the floor in the first half, Whitewater 43%.  The Eagles made the most of their free throw opportunities, hitting 9-10 while UW-W went 3-3.  There were no players in double figures in the first half.

The score was 35-35 at 17:35 in the second half, and La Crosse led 37-35 and 37-36, but those would prove to the last time the Eagles led in the game.  Mary Merg (Greendale/Greendale) hit a three to put UW-W in front 39-37 at 16:26, and by 11:21 the Warhawk lead had creeped up to 49-42.  UW-L never let the Warhawks run away, climbing back within three, 53-50 on Robinson's jumper at 7:01.  By 6:24 UW-W had it back up to 59-50, but that wouldn't last either.  Again, the Eagles fought back to 59-58 with 2:23 remaining.  Kumerow's three point play made it 62-58, but Robinson followed with a layup to cut it back to 62-60 at 2:01.  After another Merg three, UW-W scored its last six points at the line as the Eagles tried to extend the game. 

In addition to the Warhawk defense forcing 29 turnovers, the Eagles were held to 40% shooting from the floor (UW-W was 47%).  Merg and senior forward Chantel Burg (Hartford/Hartford Union) topped Whitewater with 16 points each, with Burg also grabbing nine rebounds to lead both teams.  Thill contributed game highs in assists, six, and steals, four.  UW-L's Robinson led all scorers with 21 points, with Mallory Cramer adding 12 points and seven boards.  Senior guard Leah Harms led the Eagles with four assists.

UW-W's next game is Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 with UW-Platteville visiting Kachel Gym in Williams Center.  The game, Whitewater's final home game of the regular season, is Senior Night, with Emily Bestor (North Fond du Lac/Horace Mann), Jamie Swanson (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community), and Chantel Burg (Hartford/Hartford Union) honored at halftime.

For additional information:  Keri Carollo, UW-W coach