The UW-Whitewater women's basketball team, ranked fifth in the national Division III polls, defeated Union College (NY) 79-68 at the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry Riddle College in Orlando, Florida Sunday.  UW-W improved to 10-1 and Union, 6-2, suffered just its second loss of the season.

box score

Whitewater led the entire game, including a 38-30 halftime lead. 

Union opened the second half with a 9-2 run, pulling within one at 40-39 with 17:46 left.  UW-W did not relinquish its lead, but UC was still close at 58-53 with 10:03 to go.  An 8-1 spurt by the Warhawks pushed the margin to 66-54 with 7:45 left, and Whitewater opened the gap to as many as fourteen, 77-63 on two free throws by Kelsey Hendrickson (Monroe/Monroe) with 2:27 left in the game. 

Whitewater's defense limited Union to 36% field goal shooting, and just 25% (5-20) from three point range.  The Warhawks shot 46% from the floor.  UW-W also had a six point margin in free throws, hitting 19-25 while Union was 13-18.  The Warhawks also blocked a season high six shots, three by Tiffany Morton (Beloit/Memorial).

Morton, a senior center, had her sixth double double of the season, leading both teams with 27 points and 16 rebounds.  It marked the seventh game Morton has led UW-W in scoring, and tenth time she was the team's leading rebounder.  She made 10-15 shots from the field.

Nicole Bundy (Fredonia/Ozaukee) added a season high 18 points, including 3-6 from beyond the arc and 3-3 from the line.  Like Morton, she also doubled up on rebounds, grabbing 10.  UW-W out-rebounded Union 47-36.

UW-W will stay in Orlando to face Calvin College (MI) Tuesday at 1:00 (Central).  The next home game for the Warhawks will be Saturday, January 3 at 3:00, with the Warhawks resuming Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, hosting UW-River Falls in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.

For additional information:  Keri Carollo, UW-W coach