Whitewater, Wis. -- The UW-Whitewater women's basketball team fell to UW-La Crosse 77-54 Wednesday night in Kachel Gym. 

Shooting efficiency was the difference in the contest. The Warhawks opened the game shooting 44% in the first quarter but were under 35% the rest of the way. Meanwhile the Eagles hit half of their shots in each quarter. 

The first half was tight with six ties and six lead changes in the first 20 minutes of action. UW-Whitewater held the largest lead of the half, a six-point advantage, 22-16, at the 7:58 mark in the second quarter. UWL went on a 16-10 scoring run to send the teams into the locker room knotted at 32. 

The first half of the third quarter was more of the same -- four ties and three lead changes in just over five minutes of play. From that point, a scoring drought for the Warhawks allowed the Eagles to build a lead they held the rest of the way. 

Mia Gillis (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel Catholic) led UWW with 12 points while Renee Rittmeyer (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) was the most active on the glass with six rebounds. Bri McCurdy (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) tallied three assists and a pair of steals in the contest. 

The Warhawks are back on the road Saturday with a meeting against the Blue Devils at 3 PM in Menomonie.