By Kerren Kollock, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hosted the No. 17 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pointers on Saturday night, beating the Pointers, 59-57.
UW-Eau Claire entered the game neck and neck with UW-Stevens Point, and the tension between the two teams never let up. After a couple of clinch shots, the Blugolds managed to pull ahead of the Pointers, going into half time with a 30-26 lead.
Heading into the third quarter, Stevens Point couldn't seem to miss as they managed to pull ahead of Eau Claire by 11 points. The Blugolds wouldn't let the Pointers hold onto their lead for long. A handful of jump shots and lay ups put Eau Claire ahead of the Pointers with two and a half minutes remaining. The Blugolds secured their win with a few key free throws in the last minutes of play.
Both Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh,WI/Lourdes) and UWSP's Lauren Anklam lead the game in scoring with 16 points. Eau Claire's Erin O'Toole (So.-Plymouth,MN/Hopkins) and Arien Becker (Jr.-Hayward,WI) pitched in 15 and 11 points, respectively.
This was a big home win particularly for the seniors, Lichtfuss and Johnson, as they were recognized for Senior Night. Lichtfuss hit her 1,000th career point earlier this season while Johnson also broke the school's single game scoring record this year.
The Blugolds (11-12, 6-6) will take the road as they head to UW-La Crosse on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Tip-off in La Crosse is set for 7:00 p.m.