Trailing most of the game, the number three ranked Warhawks came back to defeat UW-Stout 69-63 in Menomonie.
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Stout led most of the first half and took a 39-36 lead in to the locker room. The Blue Devils used a strong start to the second half to increase the margin to ten, 48-38 with 16:25 left in the game. That would prove to be the final double digit margin of the game.
Whitewater outscored UW-S 15-4 over the six minutes to take its first lead of the second half, 53-52 on a three-pointer by Heidi Sonntag (Milwaukee/Wisconsin Lutheran) at 8:39.
The teams traded leads, with Stout gaining a one point lead two more times in the waning minutes, the latest coming at 63-62 on a free throw by Charlee Edwards at 3:34. Kelsey Hendrickson (Monroe/Monroe) hit a crucial three with 0:55 left to give Whitewater 67-63 lead. The Blue Devils had two more attempts at three-pointers, but missed both attempts, and Nicole Bundy (Fredonia/Ozaukee) hit a pair of free throws with: 05 left to provide the final margin and ice the game.
In a game that was as actually closer than the final score, the statistics are also even. Whitewater had a slim lead in points off turnovers (16-11) and bench points (19-16), and that may have been enough in a tight game.
UW-W senior center Tiffany Morton (Beloit/Memorial) racked up her ninth double-double of the season, leading both teams in scoring with 20 and rebounding with 11. Nicole Bundy (Fredonia/Ozaukee) and Hendrickson added ten points each for the Warhawks. Hendrickson also had five assists and three steals to lead UW-W. Edwards led the Blue Devils with 17 points, with Julia Hirssig adding 13 and a team-high nine rebounds. Kim Stokke was also in double figures, with 12, and a game high four steals.
UW-Whitewater is 15-1 overall and 6-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Stout is 8-8 and 3-4 in the league.
UW-Whitewater will host UW-Platteville Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 in Kachel Gym of Williams Center.
For additional information: Keri Carollo, UW-W coach
