The No. 18 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team combined a stifling defense with efficient offense Friday night for a 71-46 victory against Concordia Wisconsin on the first day at the UW-Stevens Point Tip-Off Tournament.
 
The Warhawks (2-0 overall) held the Falcons to 30.6 percent shooting from the floor and forced 22 turnovers in the contest. On the offensive end, UW-W shot 44.1 percent from the floor, scored 29 points off turnovers and recorded 16 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points.
 
Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) tallied a game-high 18 points on 9-of-16 shooting and added five rebounds. Frontcourt mate Johanna Taylor (Wauwatosa, Wis./East) also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points to go along with team highs in rebounds (9) and assists (4).
 
Rebekah Schumacher (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) knocked down a pair of 3-pointers on her way to nine points, four rebounds and two steals. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) collected six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals off the bench.
 
UW-Whitewater, which led for more than 38 minutes in the game, held a 12-4 lead midway through the first quarter. UW-W's advantage swelled to as many as 13 in the period, but Concordia Wisconsin (0-1) scored just before the quarter buzzer sounded to draw within 19-8.
 
The Warhawks' advantage remained in double digits throughout the second quarter, and the team extended its lead to 35-12 with 2:50 on the clock after a jumper by Carollo.
 
UW-Whitewater built on its halftime lead early in the third quarter, holding the Falcons scoreless in the period until the 5:58 mark. UW-W's lead reached 25 points with 1:48 remaining in the quarter and was at 53-31 through 30 minutes of action.
 
The Warhawks' lead never dropped below 20 points in the fourth quarter.
 
UW-Whitewater concludes play in Stevens Point Saturday at 2 p.m. against Benedictine (Ill.).