LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – It was a close battle nearly the entire way but a late run helped the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeat UW-La Crosse 57-47 in Mitchell Hall Saturday afternoon.

Eau Claire led the majority of the game but only led by as many as six points once during the first 34 minutes. In that same stretch, La Crosse led by as many as three points while it was tied six times.

After a 35-35 tie with less than 10 minutes to play, the Blugolds worked their way to a six point lead. The Eagles then went on a 5-0 run to get back to within one (43-42) with less than four minutes left, but over the next two minutes, the Blugolds used a 9-0 to get up by 10. The closest La Crosse got the rest of the way was seven points.

Teenie Lichtfuss (So.-Oshkosh, Wis./Lourdes) led the Blugolds in scoring with 15 points while Courtney Lewis (Jr.-Prairie du Chien, Wis.) finished the game with 12. Lewis also had seven rebounds to tie a team-high with Rachel Egdorf (Jr.-Mishicot, Wis.).

Both teams made 18 baskets from the field but Eau Claire had six three-pointers to just three for the Eagles. The Blugolds also had 15 points from the free throw line while La Crosse scored 12.

Eau Claire is now 5-15 overall and 3-8 in the WIAC while La Crosse drops to 9-11 on the season and 3-8 in conference play. Earlier this season on Dec. 7, the Blugolds fell to UW-La Crosse in Zorn Arena, 63-54.

The Blugolds will be home Wednesday to host UW-Superior for Youth Night. Action is set to get underway at 7 p.m. in Zorn Arena.

-KM-