25th-Ranked Warhawks Swipe Victory Over Titans

UW-Whitewater recorded 12 steals in the first half on its way to an 85-50 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Wednesday (Feb. 15) in Kolf Sports Center. The Warhawks (19-5/11-4 WIAC) are ranked 25th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.

The Warhawk defense was strong in the opening six minutes, forcing the Titans (7-17/1-14 WIAC) into four turnovers and eight missed shots. UW-Whitewater, the conference leader in both scoring and steals, built a 7-0 lead on Jamie Swanson's lay-up.

Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) snapped the scoreless streak with a three-point basket at the 14:04 mark. After the margin was cut to three points (9-6), the Warhawks rattled off a 14-5 scoring run. UW-Whitewater drained four consecutive shots, with a Chantel Burg hoop stretching the Warhawks' advantage to 23-11.

Tallying nine of UW-Oshkosh's first 12 points, Kitzke knocked down a three-point shot and free throw late in the period. Meanwhile, the Warhawks continued to take the ball away and drive to the basket. Cortney Kumerow marked a lay-up before the buzzer to give her squad a 40-24 halftime cushion.

UW-Whitewater exploded out of the break with 19 points in just 4:42. The breakaway stretch featured five foul shots, four lay-ins and two three-pointers. Mary Merg counted seven of those points before Burg hit a bomb to make it 59-28 with 15:18 remaining.

The Titans hung with the Warhawks for the rest of the contest, getting two quick buckets by Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) to pull within 71-38. Amanda Crahan (Fr. • Bancroft) connected on a pair of deep jumpers late to obtain her six points.

Kitzke scored 20 to lead UW-Oshkosh, which also received six points from Ashley Winterfeldt (Jr. • Hortonville) and five assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh). Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) posted 11 rebounds, with 10 in the first half, for a career-best.

UW-Oshkosh committed 18 turnovers while shooting 31 percent (18-59) from the field. The Titans added 67 percent success (8-12) at the charity stripe and 27 percent accuracy (6-22) from downtown.

Despite a 1-for-6 start, UW-Whitewater totaled 46 percent shooting (30-65) from the field. The Warhawks booked 46 percent marksmanship (6-13) behind the arc and 76 percent accuracy (19-25) on free throws while taking the rebounding battle, 46-35.

Merg paced all players with 16 points, as Katie Burton tallied 11 points for UW-Whitewater. Burg was a force all over the court with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. The Warhawks turned the ball over just 10 times.

UW-Oshkosh concludes its 2011-12 season against UW-Stout on Saturday (Feb. 18) in Kolf Sports Center.