Trailing by four with less than 30 seconds left in the game, Katie Burton (Crystal Lake, IL/Crystal Lake Sourth) nailed a three pointer off a pass from Mary Merg (Greendale/Greendale) to pull Whitewater within one, 66-65 with 19 seconds remaining. UW-W immediately called timeout to set up their defense. Reilly Stewart (Wheaton, IL/Wheaton North) stole the inbounds pass that went to Carly Thomas of Ohio Northern to give the Warhawks the ball back. A missed jumper went off the hands of a defender to give Whitewater another chance on their end of the court. The inbounds went to Burton on the near side in front of the Warhawk bench. Her jumper went off the back iron but she followed her shot into the lane for the rebound and put back to give UW-W a 67-66 lead with six ticks left on the clock.

Ohio Northern drove the length of the court and forced a foul in the paint with three seconds left. Thomas dropped in both free throw attempts to give the Polar Bears a 68-67 advantage and the win.

ONU led most of the first half but the Warhawks came roaring back with a 14-4 run late in the half capped by a Stewart three to take their first lead 27-25 with 1:30 left. Stewart came up big for UW-W again with a step back jumper from long range at the top of the key to give the Warhawks a 30-29 lead at the break. 

Whitewater shot 29% in the first half compared to 46% for the Polar Bears. Both teams shot better in the second 20 minutes with UW-W increasing to 28% and ONU to 52% from the field. 

Neither team held more than a five point lead in the second half of the game. UW-W would combat the hot hands of ONU with 10 three-pointers in the game compared to just three for the Polar Bears. UW-W forced 20 turnovers while committing 13 but Ohio Northern outscored Whitewater in the paint, 32-20 in the game.

Burton led the Warhawks with 16 points adding six boards. Mary Merg (Greendale/Greendale) posted a double double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kaitlyn Thill (Belgium/Ozaukee) rounded out the double figure scorers for UW-W with 10. Ohio Northern's Jordan Kimes led all players with 20 points. 

UW-Whitewater will return to Wisconsin and WIAC play with a road game against UW-River Falls Saturday, January 4 at 3:00. The next home game for UW-W is scheduled for January 8 when the Warhawks host UW-Oshkosh as part of Youth Day at 7:00 in Kachel Gym.