University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Athletics

Issued: March 22, 2003

BLUGOLDS WIN DOUBLE OVERTIME THRILLER TO TAKE THIRD

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team came back from their semifinal loss to Eastern Connecticut State to defeat the University of Rochester 82-77 in double overtime in the third place game held here tonight at Hulbert Arena.

With 32 seconds remaining in regulation the Yellowjackets held their biggest lead of the second half at 60-57 following a Megan Fish layup. On the ensuing possession Kristi Channing (Sr.-Fall Creek) found Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) and she hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime both teams struggled to score but Rochester's Kelly Wescott made a layup with 2:09 remaining to give the Yellowjackets a two point lead. Emilee Planert (Jr.-Eau Claire/North) tied the game up at 64 with a pair of free throws with 1:35 left. Channing got off a three-point attempt off at the buzzer but missed to send the game into a second overtime.

After Eau Claire and Rochester exchanged threes to start the second overtime, Katie Murphy (So.-La Crosse/Aquinas) gave the Blugolds a three point lead on her second three of the game. The Yellowjackets answered right back again with another three to give the game its 11th tie. Murphy wasn't to be denied though as she came back with her second three in a row to give Eau Claire a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Rochester held the lead for the majority of the first half but the Blugolds ended the half on a 15-8 run to take a 32-28 lead into halftime.

Channing led Eau Claire in scoring with 25 points on 9 of 18 shooting while Murphy poured in 15 to go along with five assists. Becca Spaeth (Jr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) added 11 points and a team-high 15 boards.

Wescott and Erika Smith led Rochester in scoring with 26 a piece. Wescott added a game-high 16 rebounds.

In the championship game Trinity University of Texas defeated Eastern Connecticut State University 60-58 to win the Division III National Championship.

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