MENOMONIE (January 2, 2019) - Several streaks ended, but a more important streak began - a winning streak - as UW-Stout defeated UW-La Crosse, 73-65, in a WIAC opener Wednesday at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils (11-1, 1-0 WIAC) snapped an 18-game conference losing streak and a five-game losing streak to the Eagles (11-1, 0-1 WIAC) with the victory. Stout also stopped La Crosse's season-opening winning streak at 11 games. Stout saw their season-opening winning streak stop at 10 games in their last outing, and they were able to play the favor forward as both teams come out of the game at 11-1 overall.

Stout was able to jump to as much as a 10-point lead in the first quarter, and held a five-point 32-27 halftime lead. The Eagles tied the game midway through the third period and jumped ahead by three points, 49-46, on a jumper by freshman Emma Gamoke at 8:46 in the fourth quarter. Amber Fabeck pulled Stout to within one point at 7:24. 

Liz Oswald followed up with a 3-pointer to give Stout a 51-49 lead with 6:40 remaining in the period and the momentum for the rest of the game. Bailey Diersen hit a pair of 3-pointers and a 2-pointer to keep La Crosse at bay.

Stout took a six point, 61-55, lead at 3:04 when Amber Fabeck tipped a missed Eagles' 3-pointer to Shannan Watkins, who went the distance, putting a move on the La Crosse defenders under the basket to score the lay-in. The Eagles D. Schoenenberger cut the lead to four, but Watkins answered back with a layin. Dani Craig cut the lead again to four, but Watkins canned a 3-pointer for a seven point lead at 1:21 and La Crosse would only get as close as six points the rest of the way.

Stout made seven free throws down the stretch - four by Oswald. Oswald and Watkins scored seven points apiece in the fourth quarter. 

Diersen scored nine of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter. Kyncaide Diedrich added 20 points for the game as Stout had four players in double digits for the third straight game. Watkins finished with 11 points and Fabeck added 10 points. Oswald scored all seven of her points in the final quarter.

From the floor, the Blue Devils shot 49.2 percent (29-59) for the game and shot 60 percent (9-15) in the first quarter and 57.1 percent (8-14) in the fourth quarter. 

The Eagles had four players score in double figures, led by Gamoke and Ava Kramer with 13 each. Craig and Lexie Higgins each scored 11. The Eagles shot 37.5 percent (24-64) from the floor. 

Stout will travel to UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 5 to take on the Titans at 3 p.m. Stout will host UW-Whitewater, Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. for Community Days. Admission will not be charged for the Whitewater game.