RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The 25th-ranked UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team led almost the entire game on its way to beating 17th-ranked UW-River Falls 63-57 at the Karges Center today.
The score was tied twice while UW-River Falls led twice, both times midway through the second half.
Eau Claire steadily built a lead throughout the first half and led by 10 points, 10 minutes into the game. After River Falls closed the gap to five points moments later, the Blugolds then used an 8-2 run to lead by 11 points (29-18) for their largest lead of the game.
The Falcons went on a 10-0 run to get to within one point near the end of the half but a three pointer by Nicole Christianson (Sr.-Chetek, Wis.) gave the Blugolds a four-point lead (32-28) at halftime.
The second half was more closely contested and the Blugolds never led by more than seven points. With less than 30 seconds to play, the Falcons trailed by just three points. But the Blugolds were able to pull away with three free throws as they won by six points.
Christianson led the game with 17 points while Sarah Bingea (Jr.-Delano, Minn.) also reached double-figures with 10.
Ellen Plendl (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) tied her career-high with 18 rebounds, 15 of which came on the defensive end. She also had five blocks and seven points.
Eau Claire improves to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the WIAC. Because UW-Stevens Point lost its game today against UW-La Crosse, the Blugolds are now the only team in the conference with one loss. River Falls drops to 13-3 on the season and 5-2 in conference play.
The Blugolds will have a week off and will be in action next Saturday when they host UW-La Crosse. Action is set to get underway at 3 p.m.
-KM-