EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (UWECBlugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team had a tough night against eighth-ranked UW-Stevens Point, falling 61-46 at Zorn Arena tonight.

The Blugolds opened the game with the lead and despite going back and forth over the first five minutes, they held a lead after the first five minutes.

But over a 10 minute stretch that went until there were just five minutes to play in the opening half, Stevens Point outscored Eau Claire 18-3 to build a 13-point lead. The Blugolds hit only free throws during that stretch. The Pointers' largest lead in the first half was 14 points but Eau Claire closed the half with two field goals to get back within 10.

Eau Claire opened the second half by cutting the Stevens Point lead back to single digits but after getting as close as eight points, the Pointers went on a 13-2 run to take a 19-point lead. They eventually built the lead to 20 and the closest Eau Claire would get the rest of the way was 13 points.

Despite a tough night as a team, Hannah Mesick (Sr.-Chatfield, Minn.) and Ellen Plendl (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) both recorded double-doubles. Plendl led the way in scoring with 16 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. Mesick scored 14 points, 10 of which came from the free throw line, while coming away with 11 boards. Eau Claire outrebounded the Pointers 36-27.

The Blugolds fall to 10-7 on the season and 4-4 in the WIAC play. Stevens Point is now 15-2 overall and 8-0 in the conference. The Pointers have won eight straight games.

This Saturday the Blugolds will travel to La Crosse to face UW-La Crosse. The contest will be the second game of a doubleheader with the men and will tip off about 5 p.m.