Issued: February 24, 2003

WOMEN CRUISE OVER FALCONS IN FIRST ROUND OF WIAC TOURNEY

Rachel Becker

EAU CLAIRE - The first-seeded UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team won its 16th game in a row as the Blugolds routed eighth-seeded UW-River Falls 76-41in the first round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament here tonight at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds' only loss this season came to top ranked Division II opponent South Dakota State University on December 21st.

As was the case for most of the season the Blugolds used strong rebounding to top their opponent. Eau Claire hauled in 53 rebounds to the Falcons 38 led by Brooke Wozniak (Jr-Stanley/Stanley-Boyd) who grabbed 17 boards, including nine on the offensive glass.

Both teams were off the mark in the first half as Eau Claire shot just 33.3 percent from the floor while the Falcons managed just 37.5 percent. The Blugolds held River Falls scoreless for the first 6:10 of the game but scored only six points of their own during that time period. Eau Claire held a lead around seven points for the majority of the half but hit on only 11-of-22 free throws in the first half allowing the Falcons to hang around. The Blugolds traveled into the locker room at halftime with a 32-25 advantage.

Eau Claire caught fire in the second half led by Katie Murphy (So-La Crosse/Aquinas) who nailed four three point shots to spark a 44 point second half for the Blugolds. Eau Claire shot 18-of-36 from the second half and used a 15-2 run midway through the second half to separate from the Falcons. The run turned a 41-32 lead into a 56-33 margin and the Blugolds held River Falls to just six field goals and 16 points in the second half to get the victory.

Murphy led all scorers with 16 points for the Blugolds to go along with three assists. Rachel Becker (Fr-Gilmanton) came up big off the bench as she scored a career-high 14 points for the Blugolds. Becker provided some much needed offense in the first half as she scored a team high eight points during the first 20 minutes. Becca Spaeth (Jr-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) added 11 points for Eau Claire while Toya Banks (Jr-Rock Island, IL) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Blugolds with 10 points.

Bri Biebighauser led the Falcons with 10 points and was also one of three members from River Falls to grab five rebounds in the contest.

The Blugolds will remain home and face UW-Stout on Wednesday who earned an 80-64 victory over fifth seeded Platteville Monday night. Eau Claire won two close games against the Blue Devils this season, topping them 72-69 in Menomonie and 74-61 in Eau Claire. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at W.L. Zorn Arena.

Eau Claire-River Falls Box