Falcons Fall to Blugolds, 63-57

More news about: UW-River Falls

Despite Tiffany Gregorich's (Altoona, WI, Altoona) first double-double of the season, the Falcons fell 63-57 at home against UW-Eau Claire. 

It was a game that featured two of the best teams in the country.  UWRF came into the game ranked No. 17 by the d3hoops.com poll, the Blugolds, No. 25, so the game was sure to be intense from tip-off.

UWEC used a strong first-half to put the Falcons behind for much of the game.  They would build a lead by as many as 11 with 4:05 remaining in the first half.  However, the Falcons battled back relentlessly. 
Nikki Guhr's (Muskego, WI, Muskego) three-pointer with 13:03 remaining in the game would give the Falcons their first lead, 45-43.  The only other time the Falcons led during the game was after T. Gregorich's three-pointer with 10:56 to play to put the Falcons up by one.

Even though the Blugolds were ahead for most of the game, the Falcons were not done yet.  Trailing by seven with under two minutes to play, the Falcons would cut the lead to three.  However, as time was ticking away, the Falcons were forced to foul.  After Laura Olson converted the two free throws for UWEC, the Blugolds would go up by five, and eventually by six to close the game.

Gregorich would finish the game leading the Falcons with both 15 points and 11 rebounds on 4-10 shooting from the field and 5-6 from the free-throw line.  Her 11 rebounds tied a career-high.  Gregorich previously had 11 rebounds against UW-Superior on Dec. 1, 2010.

Led by T. Grogorich's 15 points, the Falcons received all-around complete performances from many.  Brittany Gregorich (Altoona, WI, Altoona) had 10 points, followed by Maranda Dohrn (Lake City, MN, Lake City) with nine, and Alise Holst (Plainview, MN, Plainview-Elgin-Millville) with eight.

The Falcon defense was also stellar, forcing 12 turnovers by UWEC.  As a team, the Falcons committed a season-low seven turnovers.  UWEC did have a slight edge in rebounds.  They outrebounded the Falcons 39-34.  Both teams did a nice job of shooting the ball.  UWEC was 22-54 for 40.7 percent.  The Falcons were 21-58 for 36.2 percent.

Eau Claire was also able to convert seven three-pointers in 20 attempts, whereas the Falcons were 5-13.

The Blugolds, who came into the game with a 6-1 WIAC record, extended their half-game lead over the Falcons in the conference standings.  The Falcons came into the game with a 5-1 WIAC record.  It also marks the first loss for the Falcons at the Karges Center, where they are now 4-1.
 
With the loss, the Falcons fall to 13-3 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC.  The Blugolds improve to 14-3 and 7-1 in the WIAC.  The Falcons are now 29-51 all time against UWEC.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 18 as they take on the UW-Superior Yellowjackets.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Karges Center.
The Falcons are 51-19 all time against Superior.

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