WHITEWATER, Wis. - Despite a strong, energized start, the Carroll University women's basketball team couldn't sustain the momentum and lost to No.16-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 65-43 in a physical nonconference game at Kachel Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
It was the fourth loss to a nationally-ranked opponent this season for Carroll, which dropped to 0-10 overall.
As the game remained tied 14-14 after the opening 10 minutes, UW-Whitewater responded by outscoring the Pioneers 25-9 in what proved to be a decisive second quarter.
Junior guard Malia Smith made a jumper to regain a 16-14 lead with 8:42 remaining - igniting the momentum-shifting run for the unbeaten Warhawks, who improved to 8-0 overall. 
Junior guard Brittney Wald (Antigo, Wis.) had a game-high 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal for Carroll, which converted four baskets from 3-point range and 13 of 19 free throws.
Wald scored five consecutive points to help propel an impressive 11-1 run over the course of the first four minutes of the game - highlighted by a basket from 3-point range to extend the lead to 5-0 with 8:34 left. 
Sophomore guard Meredith Polzin (Pewaukee, Wis.), who finished with six points in the contest, nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to cap the first-quarter spree.
Freshman guard Caylee Koker (Kenosha, Wis.) followed with seven points, three steals, two rebounds and an assist for the Pioneers, who shot 29 percent from field-goal range and ultimately fell victim to a costly 30 turnovers.
Junior forward Morgan Lund (Mondovi, Wis.) and freshman guard/forward Hannah Kloehn (Marshfield, Wis.) each chipped in five points for Carroll, which held high-powered UW-Whitewater to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Smith scored a team-high 12 points and senior guard Reilly Stewart had 10 points for UW-Whitewater, which made four 3-pointers and 9 of 20 free throws. Junior guard Brooke Trewyn and junior forward Andrea Meinert each added seven points for the Warhawks, who scored 13 points off of turnovers.
UW-Whitewater, which shot 44 percent from the field, outrebounded the Pioneers 39-32 - including a 24-23 margin on the defensive glass.