MENOMONIE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team had trouble hitting shots tonight in a 69-55 loss to UW-Stout in Johnson Fieldhouse. This is the first win for the Blue Devils against Eau Claire in the last five meetings.
The Blugolds started the game with a 7-2 run after capitalizing on opening turnovers by UW-Stout. A layup by Madison Johnson (Fr.-Osceola, Wis.) brought the Blugolds into double digits, but the Blue Devils soon answered back, taking command after going on a 17-2 run with under seven minutes left in the first half. Stout's biggest lead of the game would be 16 points, while Eau Claire would lead by no more than five.
Eau Claire shot 29.6 percent (21-for-71) from the field, its second lowest mark of the year, while Stout went 23-for-50 (46 percent). The Blugolds made only seven of their 18 three-point shots (38.9 percent) while Stout shot 46.2 percent (6-for-13). However, the Blugolds snagged 44 rebounds while UW-Stout only managed to grab 37.
Three Blugolds finished in double digits with points. Teenie Lichtfuss (Fr.-Oshkosh, Wis./Lourdes) finished with a double-double on the night, leading the Blugolds with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Sarah Bingea (Sr.-Delano, Minn.) also had a double-double, contributing 12 points and 10 rebounds. Cady Roedl (Fr.-Beaver Dam, Wis.) had 11 points for Eau Claire.
Eau Claire moves to 7-7 overall and 2-3 in WIAC play while Stout advances to 8-6 on the season and 2-3 in the WIAC.
UW-Eau Claire will be back in action Saturday at home against 18th-ranked UW-Stevens Point. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men and will get underway about 5 p.m.
-MW-