The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team was unable to take the lead over the final 34-plus minutes of action Wednesday night in a 78-68 setback at UW-Stout in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game in Menomonie, Wis.
 
The Warhawks (8-6 overall, 1-2 WIAC) held a 50-36 advantage in rebounding, including a 19-10 edge on the offensive glass, but were outscored 24-13 at the free-throw line.
 
The Blue Devils (11-2, 2-1) forced 20 UW-Whitewater turnovers to offset the Warhawks' advantages in second-chance points (13-6) and points in the paint (34-22).
 
Sophomore guard Emily Schumacher (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South) posted a team-best 17 points to go with two rebounds and two blocks. Senior forward Olivia Freckmann (Milwaukee, Wis./Pius XI) registered her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and junior guards Camri Conley (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) and Becky Raeder (Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls) finished with 12 points apiece.
 
Sophomore center Johanna Taylor (Wauwatosa, Wis./East) tallied career highs in points (6), rebounds (13) and blocks (7).
 
UW-Whitewater took its lone lead of the first midway through the quarter after a jumper by Raeder put it up 11-10. From there, UW-Stout built an 11-point lead by the 2:40 mark and led by nine at 22-13 by the end of the frame.
 
The Warhawks narrowed their deficit to 27-23 three minutes into the second following a layup by Raeder, who made it a two-point game one minute later.
 
The Blue Devils built their advantage back to seven midway through the quarter, but UW-Whitewater traded buckets and drew to within four by the end of the half.
 
The Warhawks continued to keep within striking distance in the third quarter, closing to within one possession at 50-47 with 4:37 to go on a 3-pointer by Schumacher.
 
UW-Stout extended its lead to eight by the 1:42 mark and led by the same margin by the end of the period.
 
UW-Whitewater got as close as six in the fourth quarter as late as the 4:46 mark following a layup by Freckmann. The Blue Devils hit 10-of-14 from the free-throw line in the period to help preserve their lead.
 
The Warhawks host UW-La Crosse on Alumni Day this Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. at Kachel Gymnasium.