The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team overcame a slow start with strong pressure defense and rebounding Friday in a 72-58 triumph at Capital on the second and final day of the Marriott-Columbus Airport Holiday Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.

The Warhawks (10-1 overall) forced 21 turnovers that led to 20 points and committed only six of their own while grabbing 17 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points.

Junior forward Andrea Meinert, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, tallied team highs of 15 points and eight rebounds to go along with three assists.

Junior guards Malia Smith and Brooke Trewyn posted 14 points apiece. Smith added five rebounds and two steals, and Trewyn recorded six rebounds and three steals.

Senior guard Reilly Stewart, who joined Meinert on the All-Tournament team, registered seven points.

Junior guard Emily Kraft hit three 3-pointers for nine points, and freshman guard Becky Raeder chipped in with eight points.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Crusaders (4-7) grabbed their largest lead of the game at 25-17 with 4:14 to play in the second quarter.

UW-Whitewater quickly rallied with back-to-back jumpers by Meinert and Trewyn, and took the lead on a pair of free throws by Raeder with 1:28 remaining in the half.

Raeder scored three more points over the next 45 seconds to give the Warhawks a 31-29 halftime advantage.

Capital took a 41-40 lead with 4:50 on the clock in the third quarter, but a jumper by Meinert on the next possession gave UW-Whitewater the lead for good.

The Warhawks took control of the contest with a 10-1 run and took their largest lead of the game to that point at the end of the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Kraft.

UW-Whitewater didn't allow the Crusaders closer than eight in the fourth quarter and hit 6-of-7 free throws over the final 3:28 of regulation.

The Warhawks open Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Wednesday at UW-La Crosse. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.