EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – While the game was close the entire way, the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team was able to come from behind and hold on for a 74-69 victory over the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena tonight.
In a back and forth contest, the Blugolds never led during the first 14 minutes. St. Scholastica started the game on a 6-0 run over the first two minutes but over the next two minutes the Blugolds had a 6-0 run of their own to get back into it.
After another tie six minutes into the game, the Saints outscored the Blugolds 13-8 with seven minutes remaining in the opening half to go up by five (21-16).
Eau Claire then started an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to get up by six (27-21) and held a three-point lead (31-28) going into halftime.
The second half was again closely contested and the Saints were able to tie it up with a three-pointer on their first possession. St. Scholastica was able to build a seven-point lead twice in the second half but the Blugolds began to work their way back into the game.
Over a four minute stretch just after the midway point of the half, the Blugolds went on a 14-6 run to take the lead for good. Over the final five minutes, the Blugolds outscored the Saints 14-10 to win by five.
Three Blugolds reached double figures in scoring with Courtney Lewis (Jr.-Prairie du Chien, Wis.) leading the way with 20 points. She almost completed the double-double as she also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, which also tied a career high, to go along with five assists.
Eau Claire outshot the Saints from the field 48.3 percent (29-for-60) to 46.4 percent (26-for-56), and outrebounded them 39-29.
The Blugolds are now 1-2 on the season while St. Scholastica drops to 0-3.
Next up, the Blugolds will be at Simpson College (Iowa) on Saturday for their first road game of the season. Action will get underway at 3 p.m.
-KM-