The No. 20 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team used a decisive fourth-quarter run Wednesday night to earn its seventh straight win, a 55-50 triumph over No. 10 UW-Oshkosh in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown in front of a large crowd at Kachel Gymnasium.
The Warhawks (15-1 overall, 5-0 WIAC), who now own sole possession of first place in the conference standings, posted a 10-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to turn a one-point deficit into a 47-38 advantage with 4:31 remaining in the contest.
UW-Whitewater, which made 12-of-14 free throws in the second half and 15-of-17 for the game, held off the Titans (14-2, 4-1), who drew to within three at the 1:55 mark.
Sophomore forward Becky Deichl converted on a spin move in the paint to increase the Warhawk lead back to two possessions with 1:38 on the clock.
UW-Oshkosh never got closer than four points as UW-Whitewater hit 5-of-6 at the free-throw line over the final 1:04 of regulation.
Junior guards Malia Smith and Brooke Trewyn led the Warhawks with double doubles. Smith registered a game-high 20 points, including a 10-of-10 performance at the free-throw line, to go along with a career-high 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Trewyn tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Deichl, senior guard Reilly Stewart and sophomore forward Olivia Freckmann contributed six points apiece. Freckmann added six rebounds.
The Titans led 12-8 through one quarter and started the second on a 6-2 run to extend their lead to eight points.
UW-Whitewater countered with an 11-0 run, highlighted by a nifty, driving Euro step by Stewart and two 3-pointers by Trewyn, to take a 21-18 advantage with 4:14 on the clock.
Trewyn closed the half with a driving runner from the left block to give the Warhawks a 26-23 lead heading into the locker room.
The two teams twice exchanged the lead in the third quarter and were tied two different times, and UW-Whitewater took a 35-33 advantage heading into the fourth.
UW-Oshkosh scored five straight points early in the fourth to take its final lead before the Warhawks' game-altering run.
UW-Whitewater held a 43-36 advantage in rebounding and a 9-4 edge in second-chance points.
The Warhawks continue WIAC play Saturday against UW-Stout on Kids Day at Kachel Gymnasium. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.
All children in eighth grade and under will receive free admission and be eligible to win great prizes throughout the game.