Issued: February 8, 2003

LADY BLUGOLDS TAKE DOWN FALCONS

RIVER FALLS - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team overcame a poor shooting day with good ball control to defeat Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent UW-River Falls 60-47 here today at the Karges Center.

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead on a three-pointer from Darcy Olsen in the opening minutes. River Falls would relinquish that lead a couple minutes later on a Kristi Channing (Sr.-Fall Creek) lay-up and would not get it back for the rest of the game.

The Blugolds would then go on an 8-0 run to take a 16-10 lead with ten minutes remaining in the first half. Eau Claire and River Falls traded baskets for the remainder of the half with the Blugolds taking a 25-20 lead into halftime.

At the half Eau Claire was only shooting 35.5 percent from the field and two of seven from the line. Channing led the Blugolds in scoring at the half with eight.

The Falcons used a 7-0 run in the beginning of the second half to tie the game at 35 with 11 minutes remaining in the game. Eau Claire answered with an 11-2 run of their own highlighted by a three from Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) to take a nine point lead. The Blugolds would hit of six of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Channing led the way for Eau Claire in scoring with 14 points on five of nine shooting while Becca Spaeth (Jr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) added 12. Brooke Wozniak (Jr.-Stanley/Stanley-Boyd) added her third double-double of the year with 11 points and 12 boards, nine coming off the offensive glass.

Eau Claire's shooting improved in the second half to raise their shooting percentage to 39.6 percent for the game. The Blugolds overcome their poor shooting by only committing four turnovers in the game while forcing 17 Falcon turnovers.

The win improves Eau Claire's record to 21-1 overall and 13-0 in the WIAC. The loss drops River Falls to 9-12 overall and 3-10 in conference play.

The Blugolds will be at home Wednesday to take on the Titans of Oshkosh. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-River Falls Box