Issued: October 7, 2002

EAU CLAIRE FACES EACH OTHER IN BLUE AND GOLD GAMES

The UW-Eau Claire men's and women's basketball teams played themselves tonight in the annual Blue and Gold game held here at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The women's gold team won the opener by beating the blue team 67-52. The gold team jumped out to a big lead, taking a 45-16 lead into half.

In the second half, some players switched teams with Emily Planert (Jr.-Eau Claire/North), Becca Spaeth (Jr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi), and Rachel Becker (Fr.-Gilmanton) switching to the blue team. Toya Banks (Sr.-Rock Island, IL), Laura Tamm (Jr.-Brillion), and Liz VanDrasek (Fr.-St. Michael, MN/St. Michael-Albertville) went over to the gold team.

Kristi Channing (Sr.-Fall Creek) led all scorers with 20, flowed by Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) with 16 and Megan Hanson (Fr.-Hudson) with 14.

Next up for the Blugold women is the Luther College Tip-Off Tourney in Decorah, IA Friday, November 22-23.

In the men's game, the white team used a 38-22 rebound advantage to take home the victory with a final score of 55-43. Jason Larson (Sr.-Sugar Land, TX/Stephen F. Austin) led all scorers with 20 points. Nate Beck (So.-Rothschild/D.C. Everest) added 16 and Andy Witte (Sr.-Madison/Monona Grove) pulled down 12 boards.

Jesse Breidenbach (Jr.-Oregon) and Casey Drake (Jr.-Rhinelander) led the gold team with nine points apiece.

Next up for Eau Claire is the Tip-Off Tournament held here Friday, November 22-23.