EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – In a game that saw a combined 80 points, the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team narrowly edged UW-River Falls 42-38 on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena tonight.
Throughout the course of the game, the lead changed hands 11 times while it was tied at nine other points.
With just under six minutes remaining in the game, the Falcons led by three points (36-33). But over the final five minutes, the Blugolds outscored River Falls 9-2 to win by four.
Free throws were the deciding factor that pushed the Blugolds past the Falcons. All nine of Eau Claire's points at the end came at the free throw line. Sarah Bingea (Sr.-Delano, Minn.) scored five of her game-high 14 points at the line over a three-minute stretch near the end.
Both teams had trouble shooting from the field all night but the Blugolds finished leading the Falcons 29.8 percent (14-for-47) to 25.4 percent (15-for-59). The Falcons held a large advantage in rebounds, pulling in 49 to 32 for Eau Claire. A total of 19 came on the offensive end for River Falls compared to five for the Blugolds.
The combined 80 points ties for the ninth lowest scoring game between two teams in school history. The 42 points scored by the Blugolds ties for the 19th fewest points the team has scored in the history of the program.
Eau Claire improves to 9-8 overall and 4-4 in the WIAC while River Falls drops to 9-7 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.
Eau Claire will have Wednesday off and will play next Saturday at UW-La Crosse. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men and will get underway at about 5 p.m.
-KM-