GEORGETOWN, Texas (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team concluded the Southwestern Classic with another win – the team's seventh straight – and defeated host Southwestern University (Texas) 72-62 this evening.
The Blugolds, who dominated Trinity (Texas) 81-34 yesterday, again got out front early. Powered by eight points from Ellen Plendl (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) and six-straight from Callie Halama (Sr.-Independence, Wis.), Eau Claire boasted a 19-4 advantage just 10 minutes into the game.
The Pirates caught up with the Blugolds, however. Down 31-20 at the half, Southwestern whittled the lead to single digits midway through the final period. But Eau Claire prevailed and held on to take the game 72-62.
Four Blugolds achieved double digit scores. Plendl and Sarah Bingea (Jr.-Delano, Minn.) both recorded double-doubles, led by Plendl's 23 points and 17 rebounds. Halama and Nicole Christianson (Sr.-Chetek, Wis.) scored 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Eau Claire also outshot the Pirates 44.1 percent (26-of-59) to 28.4 percent (21-of-74).
The win marks the seventh consecutive for the Blugolds, who are now 10-2 overall. Southwestern drops to 6-6, and is 0-2 all-time against Eau Claire.
The Blugolds will battle Austin College (Texas) at 2 p.m. this Saturday to wrap up the Texas trip.
-AH-