By Kerren Kollock, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team kicked off their WIAC play with a game against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pointers Wednesday night, falling to the Pointers, 52-59.
UW-Eau Claire hit the ground running, as they led the first period with strong momentum. The Blugolds made its first five field goals that gave the Blugolds a 13-5 lead half way through the first. Stevens Point answered with a run in the second quarter and the Blugolds went into half time tied 31-31.
Stevens Point had a strong third quarter taking a 41-35 lead heading into the final quarter. Eau Claire fought back and tied the game 51-51 with 4:38 to go, a late run by the Pointers secured the win.
The game's leading scorer was Eau Claire's Madison Johnson (Sr.-Osceola, WI/Osceola) with 16 points, and a notable four rebounds and three assists. Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/Lourdes) and Erin O'Toole (So.-Plymouth, MN/Hopkins) also pitched in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Blugolds (5-7, 0-1 WIAC) will host their first conference game on Saturday, Jan. 9 as they take on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm in Zorn Arena.