Issued: November 26, 2002

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS ST. NORBERT IN CONVINCING FASHION

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team scored the first 12 points of the game as they defeated the Green Knights from St. Norbert 83-64 here tonight at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The win improves the Blugold's record to 3-0 on the season while the Green Knights drop to 0-1 with the loss.

Eau Claire played tough defense all night as they stole the ball 15 times to St. Norbert's eight. The Blugolds also out-rebounded the Green Knights 35-21, including allowing St. Norbert to grab just one offensive rebound. Eau Claire went to the free-throw line 29 times, sinking 20 of the opportunities.

Kristi Channing (Sr-Fall Creek), one of four Blugolds with double-digit points, got the Blugolds rolling early as she scored Eau Claire's first four points. The Blugolds would jump out to a 12-0 lead before St. Norbert scored their first field goal. Eau Claire shot 68 percent from the floor in the first half to take a 46-31 halftime lead and never looked back.

Janel Soppeland (Sr-Cadott) led all Blugolds in scoring with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Soppeland also nailed three trifectas for the Blugolds on five attempts. Becca Spaeth (Jr-Chippewa Falls) contributed 13 points for Eau Claire and also pulled down a team best eight rebounds. Emilee Planert (So-Eau Claire/North) finished with 12 points while Channing added 11. Katie Murphy (So-La Crosse/Aquinas) set things up for the Blugolds all night as she dished out eight assists in the victory. Murphy also came up big on defense as she stole the ball four times from the St. Norbert offense.

Eau Claire will remain home on Friday and Saturday night as they host the UWEC Thanksgiving Showcase at W.L. Zorn Arena. Teams scheduled to compete are Hamline, Northwestern, and Viterbo.

Eau Claire-St. Norbert Box