Issued: December 21, 2002

BLUGOLD WOMEN SUFFER FIRST LOSS OF THE YEAR

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team hung tough with top-ranked Division II South Dakota State but eventually fell 73-59 at Frost Arena here tonight.

The Blugolds fell behind quickly 7-0 in the opening minutes of the game but fought back to within three at 16-13. Eau Claire later went on a 15-4 run to tie the game at 35 with 3:09 remaining in the half. At the end of the half the Jacks led 43-37.

The Blugolds were able to remain close in the first half by shooting 57.1 percent from the field and going to the line 19 times. Janel Soppeland (Sr.-Cadott) led Eau Claire in scoring at the half with 11 including three of five from behind the arc.

The teams traded baskets throughout the second half until the Jacks went on a 10-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 69-53 with 4:22 remaining in the game. The Blugolds got back within 11 with 1:43 left but could get no closer.

Soppeland and Becca Spaeth (Jr.-Chippewa Falls/Chi-Hi) paced Eau Claire with 18 apiece. Brooke Wozniak (Jr.-Stanley/Stanley-Boyd) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Stacie Cizek led the Jackrabbits with 18 on seven of eight shooting.

For the game the Blugolds shot 46.7 percent from the field while the Jackrabbits shot 48.3 percent. Eau Claire turned the ball over 23 times compared to 17 turnovers for South Dakota State.

South Dakota State, the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division II, remained unbeaten in 10 starts this season while the Blugolds suffered their first loss after nine straight wins.

The Blugolds will travel to Texas for games against Trinity University and Texas Lutheran University on December 30 and 31.

Eau Claire-South Dakota State Box