Senior guard Maggie Trautsch of UW-Whitewater’s women’s basketball team dribbles through the court in search of an open teammate during the NCAA tournament matchup against Principia College on March 7th, 2025.
The UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team has progressed to the Sweet 16, following impressive victories against Principia College and UW-La Crosse. The team capitalized on the excitement of their home crowd, propelling them forward in the NCAA Tournament.
UW-Whitewater Dominates Principia
In their opening game of the NCAA Tournament, the Warhawks secured a commanding 75-53 win against Principia. They quickly established dominance with a 24-6 lead by the end of the first quarter and held a substantial 49-17 advantage at halftime. While the teams exchanged baskets in the third quarter, UW-Whitewater maintained a strong lead of 62-35 heading into the fourth. The final score was 75-53, sending the Warhawks into the second round.
Leading the scoring for the Warhawks were Maggie Trautsch and Mallory Oloffson, each contributing 16 points. Renee Rittmeyer had a solid performance off the bench, adding 11 points, while Katie Hildebrandt shone with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds, earning her the MVP honor of the night.
“You have to perform at your best,” remarked Hildebrandt. “My teammates did a great job boxing out, which allowed me to get the rebounds. I focused on being near the rim throughout the game, and I believe that helped, but getting those boards and making quick outlets is key for our offense.”
Prior to the Warhawks’ victory over Principia, UW-La Crosse defeated Colorado College with a score of 79-52, setting the stage for a third clash between the Eagles and the Warhawks.
Whitewater Wins Tightly Contested Match Against La Crosse
Advancing to the Sweet 16, the Warhawks triumphed in a nail-biting 50-49 win over UW-La Crosse. The lead shifted throughout the game, resulting in a 14-14 tie at the end of the first quarter and a 20-20 deadlock at halftime. By the third quarter, La Crosse held a slight lead of 37-36. The fourth quarter saw an intense back-and-forth, with La Crosse leading 49-47. However, with just 33 seconds remaining, Hildebrandt made a crucial layup that tied the game. After a missed 3-point attempt by La Crosse and several timeouts, Hildebrandt was fouled while attempting a shot with two seconds on the clock, successfully sinking a free throw that secured the win for the Warhawks at 50-49.
Hildebrandt topped the scoring charts with 14 points, while Kacie Carollo achieved a double-double, contributing 13 points and 13 rebounds. Oloffson also had an impactful performance, adding 11 points.
“It was an incredible, hard-fought battle between two outstanding teams,” said head coach Keri Carollo. “La Crosse had a fantastic run at the end of their season, and it was tough for us to defend against their aggressive approach. I commend them for their performance, but I’m truly proud of our team for overcoming challenging moments and staying resilient and focused.”
After their third win over the Eagles, Whitewater is set to face UW-Stout in the Sweet 16, marking their fourth encounter this season. The Warhawks currently hold a 1-2 record against Stout, with their only win achieved in the WIAC tournament. The Sweet 16 clash will take place on Friday, March 14, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at 4:30 PM Central Time.
UW-Whitewater sophomore guard Bri McCurdy directs her teammates as she sets up a play against Principia College in the NCAA tournament on March 7th, 2025.
