EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team stuck right with 19th-ranked UW-Whitewater but came up just a little short, falling 64-57 to the Warhawks on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena tonight.
The teams kept it close early and while the Warhawks led by one point five minutes into the game, the Blugolds outscored Whitewater 18-8 over the next 12 minutes to get up by nine (25-16). At halftime, the Blugolds led 27-22, holding the Warhawks to the fewest points this season in an opening half.
Whitewater started the second half with a 10-2 run to get up by three but the score still stayed close the rest of the way. The score was tied at 40 with nine minutes to play but the Warhawks outscored the Blugolds the rest of the way 23-17 to remain unbeaten in the conference.
Three Blugolds reached double figures in scoring, led by Carly Chell (Jr.-Apple Valley, Minn.) with 14 points. She also finished with a team-high eight rebounds, playing 24 minutes.
The teams each made 21 baskets from the field as Eau Claire led 38.9 percent (21-for-54) to 30 percent (21-for-70). Whitewater scored seven more points (20-13) at the free throw line. The Warhawks also held a rebounding advantage, 52-33.
Eau Claire drops to 3-12 overall and 1-5 in the WIAC while the Warhawks improve to 11-3 on the season and 5-0 in conference play.
Wednesday the Blugolds will be at UW-Superior for a game starting at 7 p.m.
-KM-