The No. 14 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team outscored UW-Stevens Point 42-14 in the second half Wednesday night on its way to a 67-43 triumph in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown in Stevens Point, Wis.
The Warhawks (14-2 overall, 4-1 WIAC) shot a blazing 60.7 percent after halftime while holding the Pointers to 20.8 percent and only five made field goals after the break.
Junior forward Olivia Freckmann registered a career-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards, to post her third career double-double.
Senior guard Brooke Trewyn and senior forward Andrea Meinert added 14 points apiece. Trewyn added five assists, and Meinert collected five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Senior guard Malia Smith contributed nine points and four steals for UW-Whitewater, which forced 23 turnovers and scored 27 points off the miscues.
In the first, the Warhawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead under one minute into the quarter, but the Pointers scored nine of the next 11 points to take a 9-7 advantage three minutes later. UW-Stevens Point led 21-16 at the end of the period.
The Pointers (7-9, 1-4) extended their lead to as many as eight in the second, but Freckmann brought the Warhawks to within four with 3:20 left. Neither team scored over the final three-plus minutes of the half.
UW-Whitewater took the lead for good at the 6:07 mark of the third quarter, when Meinert finished a steal-and-layup. The team led by seven at the end of the frame thanks to a layup by Smith.
The Warhawks tallied the first 17 points of the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Freckmann registered eight points during the run.
UW-Whitewater finished with a 44-14 advantage on points in the paint.
The Warhawks host UW-La Crosse Saturday at 3 p.m. on Alumni Day at Kachel Gymnasium. As part of the celebration, UW-Whitewater will recognize the 10th anniversary of its 2008 Final Four run. Members of the team will be recognized at halftime of the contest.