Issued: February 1, 2003

CHANNING LEADS BLUGOLDS OVER POINTERS

Kristi Channing (Sr.-Fall Creek) scored 23 points and pulled down eight boards in leading fourth ranked UW-Eau Claire to a 72-50 victory over 16th ranked UW-Stevens Point here tonight at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds used a Channing lay-up and a Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) three-pointer to build a 5-0 lead right out of the gate and they would never look back. Eau Claire closed the half on an 18-4 run with everybody getting into action. During the run the Blugolds got four points from Channing, four from Rachel Becker (Fr.-Gilmanton), three from Becca Spaeth (Jr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi), and two each from Brooke Wozniak (Jr.-Stanley/Stanley-Boyd), Emilee Planert (Jr.-Eau Claire/North), and Toya Banks (Sr.-Rock Island, IL).

At the half, Channing led the way with 14 points while Spaeth added 11 to lead the Blugolds to a 43-23 lead.

The scoring went back and forth in the second half with the Pointers getting no closer than 15. The Blugolds would stretch their lead to a game-high 24 points on a Kelly Guay (Sr.-Appleton/East) jumper with 1:59 remaining.

Eau Claire dominated most aspects of the game including a 36-16 advantage in points in the paint. The Blugolds also turned 22 Pointer turnovers into 22 points of their own with Stevens Point only getting nine points off of the 14 Eau Claire turnovers.

For the game the Blugolds shot 54.1 percent from the field while holding the Pointers to only 33.3 percent from the field.

With the victory Eau Claire improved their record to 11-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play and 19-1 overall. The loss dropped Stevens Point to 7-3 in the WIAC and 15-4 overall.

The Blugolds will be back at Zorn Arena Wednesday to take on UW-La Crosse. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Box