La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's basketball team fell 61-43 to UW-Eau Claire Saturday night in Mitchell Hall on Alumni Day. The Eagles drop to 13-5 overall and 6-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while the Blugolds improve to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in the conference. 

UW-Eau Claire never trailed Saturday, racing out to a 8-0 lead. The Blugolds led 12-10 with 11:57 remaining in the first half when they went on a 10-1 run to lead 22-11 with 6:31 left. UW-L later cut the lead to 22-14, but UW-Eau Claire finished the half on a 13-5 run to lead 35-19.

After trailing by 18 points early in the second half, UW-L cut the lead to 40-31 with 13:51 remaining on aRachael Salata three-pointer. UW-Eau Claire then used a 16-3 run to lead 56-34 with 6:35 left. 

Salata and Melissa Lang led UW-L with nine points each while Taylor Larson finished with six. Danielle Frank finished with a game-high 14 rebounds and six blocks. 

The Eagles, receiving votes on this week's D3hoops.com Top-25 Poll, shot 24.5% from the field, including 38.5% (10-of-26) from three-point range. UW-L shot 58.3% (seven-of-12) at the line.

Sarah Bingea led UW-Eau Claire with 16 points while Hannah Mesick finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Ellen Plendl also had eight rebounds.

The Blugolds shot 40.0% from the field, including 18.2% (two-of-11) from three-point range. The team shot 52.4% (11-of-21) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, January 26 hosting UW-Stout at 7:05 p.m.