Issued: January 4, 2003

WOMEN BLUGOLDS EDGE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPS

STEVENS POINT - Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) hit three free throws in the final minute of play to allow the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team to claim a 68-66 triumph over defending NCAA Division III national champion UW-Stevens Point here Saturday afternoon.

Coming into this afternoon's contest the Blugolds were ranked eighth in the country while the Pointers ranked 15th according to d3hoops.com's Division III Women's Basketball poll. The Blugold's record improves to 12-1 overall and 4-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. The Blugolds also own an 8-1 road record with their only loss coming to top ranked Division II South Dakota State. The Pointers fall to 9-3 on the season and 1-2 in WIAC action.

Eau Claire used hot free throw shooting to topple the Pointers hitting 23 of 25 free throws attempted in the contest. Kristi Channing (Sr-Fall Creek) hit all 11 free throws she attempted en route to a game-high 23 points. The Blugolds also used excellent rebounding to fend off the national champs as they took a 50-33 rebounding edge during the game.

Eau Claire wasted no time getting started as they scored the game's first basket and would never forfeit the lead for the duration of the game. With the strength of 12 first half points from Channing the Blugolds steadily built a 39-27 lead heading into the locker room.

The Pointers came out strong in the second half cutting the Blugold's lead in half just four minutes into the period and with just under eight minutes to play in the game Stevens Point pulled within one of Eau Claire. The Blugolds responded by making 11 of 12 free throws attempted down the stretch including three from Soppeland in the final minute to take the 68-66 victory.

Becca Spaeth (Jr-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) posted a double-double for the Blugolds with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Channing and Brooke Wozniak (Jr-Stanley-Stanley/Boyd) each collected 10 rebounds.

Andrea Kraemer led the way for the Pointers totaling 20 points and seven rebounds while Cassandra Heuer threw in 14 points.

The Blugolds lost to Stevens Point twice last season by scores of 70-60 and 62-44. The Blugolds will resume action Wednesday night when they will host WIAC opponent UW-River Falls. Tip-off is set for 7:00 at W.L. Zorn Arena.

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Box