By Kerren Kollock, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hosted No. 24 Luther College at Zorn Arena Wednesday night, falling to the Norse, 69-71.
UW-Eau Claire continued their season of strong competition as they faced Luther, who finished their previous season in the second round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Blugolds came out strong as they restricted the Norse to an eight-point lead at the end of the first two periods.
Eau Claire contested throughout the entire game and they never let Luther lead by more than 10 points.
With 1:33 remaining in the game, a three-point shot by Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI-Lourdes) gave the Blugolds the spark and confidence to compete. A turnover by the Norse with nine seconds remaining gave the Blugolds strong momentum, however, the Blugolds' final jumper could not fall to send the game into overtime.
"At the end we took a great shot for our senior," said head coach Tonja Englund, "I wouldn't trade that shot for a different one."
The game's leading scorer was Eau Claire's Madison Johnson (Sr.-Osceola, WI-Osceola) with 19 points. Lichtfuss and Alleah Voigt (Jr.-Neillsville, WI-Neillsville) also pitched in 17 and 11 points, respectively.
The Blugolds shot a solid 56.3 percent of their field goals, and made 50 percent of their three-point attempts.
The Blugolds (2-5, 0-0 WIAC) will be back in Zorn Arena on Saturday, Dec. 12 as they take on the North Central College Cardinals at 5:00 p.m.