Issued: January 22, 2003

WOMEN USE STRONG FIRST HALF TO TOP PIONEERS

EAU CLAIRE - The fourth ranked UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team used a 14-0 run midway through the first half to defeat conference opponent UW-Platteville 65-54 here tonight at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds stay perfect in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with the victory, improving their unbeaten record to 8-0 in conference action. Eau Claire's overall record currently sits at 16-1 while the Pioneers fall to 11-6 on the season and 4-4 in conference action.

Eau Claire used a 40-29 rebounding advantage to outscore the Pioneers 38-18 in the paint. The large rebounding edge also helped the Blugolds score 19 second chance points while holding Platteville to just eight. The Pioneers had been averaging 41 rebounds per game coming into the contest. Eau Claire also held the Blugolds well under their points per game average, which stood at 66.6 prior to tonight's game.

Platteville opened up strong sticking with the Blugolds and taking a 14-11 lead nine minutes into the first half. Eau Claire responded with a 14-0 run powered by Becca Spaeth (Jr-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) and Kristi Channing (Sr-Fall Creek). During the 14-0 run Spaeth scored eight of her 14 points while Channing added the remaining six points. Eau Claire would head into halftime with a 33-20 lead.

The second half opened up unfavorably for the Blugolds as Platteville started the half with a 12-4 run to pull within four points at 42-38 with 13:06 remaining in the game. Eau Claire responded with another run, this time outscoring the Pioneers 12-3 to take a 13 point lead. Platteville cut the lead to single digits twice throughout the remainder of the game but the Blugolds were able to hold off the Pioneers and take the 65-54 victory.

Channing led the way for the Blugolds scoring 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. She also added seven rebounds and shot 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Becca Spaeth finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Blugolds while Janel Soppeland (Sr-Cadott) totaled six assists and four steals. Brooke Wozniak (Jr-Stanley/Stanley-Boyd) added 11 points for Eau Claire while also pulling down nine rebounds.

Eau Claire will resume action Saturday evening as a part of the EC-Stout doubleheader. The Blugold men will battle the UW-Stout Blue Devils at 5:00 with the women to follow at 7:00.

Eau Claire-Platteville Box