The No. 6 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team remained undefeated Wednesday night with a 72-60 triumph over UW-Stout in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams at Kachel Gymnasium.
Three players in the frontcourt scored in double figures for the Warhawks (12-0 overall, 1-0 WIAC), who are in the midst of their best start to a season since 2007-08, when the team began with 14 straight victories.
UW-Whitewater shot 44.1 percent from the floor and held the Blue Devils (6-6, 0-1) more than 17 points below their season average. The Warhawks held a 43-31 rebounding advantage, including 14-7 on the offensive boards for a 17-9 edge in second-chance points.
Senior forward Lisa Palmer tallied team highs in points (14) and rebounds (9). Senior forward Maddie Bare contributed a career-high 12 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals, while sophomore forward Andrea Meinert collected 10 points and seven rebounds.
Senior guard Abbie Reeves knocked down three 3-pointers en route to a nine-point effort. Junior guard Reilly Stewart added seven points and five rebounds.
UW-Stout jumped out to a 10-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but five different players scored for UW-Whitewater during a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to make it 19-12 with 1:36 left.
The Blue Devils tied the affair at 28-28 with 6:02 remaining in the second. The Warhawks responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by four points from Meinert, and led 39-31 at the half.
UW-Whitewater extended its lead to double digits early in the third quarter and took control of the contest with a 10-0 run, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Bare, for a 55-36 advantage with 3:56 on the clock.
UW-Stout cut its deficit to nine just over 30 seconds into the fourth, but sophomore guard Malia Smith hit a jumper on the ensuing possession, and Reeves hit a 3-pointer two minutes later to make it 65-51 at the 6:45 mark.
The Warhawks have now won 12 straight games against UW-Stout.
UW-Whitewater continues WIAC play this Saturday at No. 24 UW-Stevens Point. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.