Issued: January 8, 2003

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL REMAINS UNBEATEN IN CONFERENCE

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team used a 12-3 run late in the second half to defeat UW-River Falls 57-41 here tonight at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The Blugold's record improves to 13-1 on the season and 5-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play while the Falcons fall to 7-5 on the season and 2-3 in WIAC play.

Eau Claire finished the contest with a huge rebounding advantage as they out-rebounded River Falls 44-26. Eau Claire also made 20 trips to the free throw line, knocking down 15 of the attempts, while the Falcons managed only six shots from the charity stripe with five of the six made.

The Falcons showed they were ready to play early as they started the first half on an 8-2 run before Eau Claire turned the tables and went on an 8-0 run of its own. The Blugolds finished the first half with a separate 14-2 run to take a 31-23 lead into the locker room.

Eau Claire went on another run with 5:01 remaining in the game as they scored 12 points to the Falcons three and finished the game with the 57-41 victory.

Becca Spaeth (Jr-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) led the Blugolds in scoring as she totaled 13 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Kristi Channing (Sr-Fall Creek) helped the Blugolds to the huge rebounding advantage as she grabbed 13 rebounds and scored nine points. Toya Banks (Jr-Rock Island, IL) rounded out

Blugold double-digit scorers as she added 10 points for Eau Claire. The Blugolds will return to action this Saturday when they host WIAC rival UW-Whitewater. Tip-off is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Eau Claire-River Falls Box