DE PERE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team faced the St. Norbert College Green Knights on the road on Tuesday, winning, 70-62.
This marked the 16th year that head coach Tonja Englund and UW-Eau Claire competed against St. Norbert during Thanksgiving week. It has been an annual affair, and this year's win on the road will give the Blugolds a spark of momentum headed into Thanksgiving break.
Eau Claire outscored St. Norbert in the first three periods. After a close first period, the Blugolds gained their confidence. It was truly a team effort, as six different players scored for Eau Claire during the second period.
The game's leading scorer was Eau Claire's Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh,WI/Lourdes), with 24 points. Erin O'Toole (So.-Plymouth,MN/Hopkins) and Madison Johnson (Sr.-Osceola,WI/Osceola) both stepped up and pitched in double digit points, scoring 16 and 14, respectively. The Blugolds won the rebounding battle with O'Toole leading the way with 14 rebounds, her first double-double of the season.
"This is one of the toughest places to win at the division three level," said Englund. "For us to win over here, I think this was one of the most key and significant wins we've had here (at St. Norbert) in a long time."
The Blugolds will be back on the road as they travel to Winona, Minn. to take on Saint Mary's University on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.