The No. 11 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team exploded in the first half in a 68-60 victory over 17th-ranked Gustavus Aldophus (8-2) Friday afternoon in a non-conference match-up in Waverly, Iowa.

With the win, UW-Whitewater sets up a showdown against fourth-ranked and fellow unbeaten Wartburg for Saturday's championship game.

The Warhawks shot  23-of-27 from the free-throw line in the game, and 9-of-12 in the final two minutes of play to secure the win.

Senior Brooke Trewyn, senior Malia Smith and sophomore Camri Conley lead the Warhawks, each scoring 12 points,. Senior Andrea Meinert and sophomore Becky Raeder each contributed seven points in the victory.

Smith scored 10 of her 12 points in the first quarter.  The Warhawks gained the lead with a basket from Meinert and  3:32 left in the first quarter and stayed on top the rest of the game.

The Warhawks (10-0) continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, ending the quarter with a 9-0 run with just under three minutes remaining in the half. Sophomore Nikki Foster converted a layup to give the Warhawks a 19-point lead, which was their largest lead of the game.

UW-Whitewater remained on top in the third quarter.  Trewyn sank a 3-point basket with 3:24 left in the quarter to give the Warhawks a 15-point lead.

Despite Gustavus Adolphus climbing within two points in the final 2:20 of play, the Warhawks clinched the victory at the free-throw line.  Conley scored six in the last two minutes of play from the line to help keep the lead for the Warhawks.

Saturday's championship contest at Wartburg, an 83-65 winner over UW-Superior on Friday, is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.