Box Score WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Elmhurst women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season after the Bluejays' upset bid against ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin Whitewater ended in an 85-71 loss.
Elmhurst (4-1) dominated the opening half, scoring the game's opening eight points and racing out to a 25-5 lead just 8:30 into the contest. Wisconsin-Whitewater closed to within nine points with less than two minutes, but the Bluejays' extended their lead to 45-32 at the half. Elmhurst shot a whopping 58.1 percent (18-of-31) from the floor in the opening half.
Whitewater (6-1) made an early run to slice Elmhurst's lead down to six just 2:18 into the second half, but Bluejays responded with a 15-4 run to open up a 64-47 lead with 13:30 remaining. The Warhawks roared back, outscoring Elmhurst 38-7 for the remainder of the game to earn a 14-point victory. The Bluejays struggled down the stretch, shooting just 3-of-16 while committing 10 turnovers in the game's final 13 minutes.
The Bluejays finished the contest shooting 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field, including 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from beyond the arc. Whitewater shot just 37.0 percent (27-of-73) from the floor, but finished the second half shooting 48.7 percent (17-of-35). The Warhawks were solid from the foul line, converting 26-of-29 (89.7 percent) free throw attempts. Whitewater made te most of Elmhurst's mistakes, cashing in 25 Bluejay turnovers into 28 points.
Four Bluejays reached double figures in the loss.
Hannah Lipman led the squad with 19 points and seven rebounds, shooting 7-of-13 from the floor.
Fiona McMahon added 17 points and eight rebounds while
Melanie Schwerdtmann totaled 12 points and six boards.
Karen Senette added 10 points for the Bluejays.
Kaitlyn Thill totaled a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Warhawks. Thill was a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line. Amy Mandrell and Mary Merg scored 16 points apiece in the win while Andrea Olsen finished with 10 points.
Elmhurst hosts Coe College on Saturday, December 7.
