By Daniel Schoettler
Correspondent
The UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team started conference play undefeated with wins against UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire.
In Whitewater’s conference opener on the road against UW-La Crosse on Jan. 4, the Warhawks and Eagles needed an extra period to decide the game.
The Warhawks had a 13-point lead at the half, but the Eagles outscored them in the second to force overtime.
“I thought it was a good hard-fought game,” head coach Keri Carollo said. “We got a little flat in the second half offensively, but our defense really carried us through that.”
The Warhawks got off to an 11-point lead in the first after a Reilly Stewart jumper with 2:21 remaining in the quarter. UW-La Crosse’s Makenzie Miller cut the Warhawks lead to seven with a jumper in the paint to make 23-16 at the end of the first.
After Kylee Marks cut the Warhawks’ lead to one at 25-24, the Warhawks built the lead back up to double digits after a 12-0 run to end the half.
The Warhawks’ lead reached 14 early in the third quarter before the Eagles cut it three at the end of the quarter 47-44.
After a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Warhawks and Eagles took it to overtime.
Following successful free throws by Malia Smith in overtime, Whitewater took the lead. After a Olivia Freckmann basket, Reilly Stewart helped secure the win with a three-pointer to make it 64-58.
The Eagles cut it to four after baskets from Elise Denoyer and Taylor Nelson. The Warhawks closed it out with a Stewart free throw to get the 65-62 win in overtime.
The Warhawks were led by Andrea Meinert with 15 points. Stewart had 14. Smith had 12 and freshman Becky Raeder had 11 in the win.
The Warhawks shot 36.1 percent from the field in the win, and made six three-pointers. The team shot 15 for 20 from the free throw line.
Warhawks overcome Meinert injury
On Jan. 7, Whitewater was able to capitalize on UW-Eau Claire turnovers and utilize strong bench play to pick up its second conference win.
The Warhawks forced 21 turnovers and scored 21 points off turnovers. The Warhawks also outscored the Blugolds’ bench 38-15 in the win.
Carollo said it was a great effort and she was happy for the team picking up the win against Eau Claire.
She said the team utilized intensity and enthusiasm, two points of emphasis throughout the season so far.
“It is great to see them have fun and play together,” Carollo said.
The Warhawks led 17-2 at the end of the first quarter after a sluggish first few minutes. The only two points in the first quarter for the Blugolds were made from the free throw line.
“We kind of got off to a slow start offensively because Eau Claire was doing a nice job of backing off,” Carollo said.
Carollo said the team works hard in getting to the rim, getting touches inside the post and trying to get the ball inside. It was evident the hard work paid off, she said.
“We executed, and they were doing the things we were asking them to do, which limited our shots,” Carollo said.
The Warhawks continued to build the lead in the second quarter. They pushed the lead to 19 after a layup and two free throws from Stewart to for a 32-13 lead.
Increasing the lead came at a price, though, as the Warhawks lost forward Meinert to a leg injury in the second quarter, which showcased the team’s unity, Carollo said.
“I think that is what is great about this team. No matter what the situation is, they are always there to have each other’s back and step up when someone goes down,” Carollo said. “This team is a team and truly a team, they love each other and care about each other.”
Carollo added that not having Meinert on the court is going to hurt, but is confident that her team will step up in her absence.
In the third quarter, the Warhawks pushed the lead to 24 after back-to-back three-pointers from former Whippet Brooke Trewyn. Smith hit a jumper to push it to 29 before a Blugold free throw to end the third 48-20.
The Warhawks were able to unload their bench late in the game and outscored the Blugolds 19-17 in the fourth quarter.
The Warhawks beat the Blugolds 67-37. In the win, Smith and Stewert each had 11 points. Trewyn had 10, and sophomore Becky Deichl had nine.
“They all have elevated their game now that we have gotten into conference play,” Carollo said. “They know how important each game is, and most importantly, they are having fun. I think when they have fun and play relaxed that this is the outcome we will have.”
The Warhawks shot 41.5 percent in the win and they made three three-pointers. UW-Whitewater shot 20 for 28 from the free throw line in the win.
