WHITEWATER, Wisc. (Blugolds.com)-The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team (13-12, 8-6 WIAC) continued their three game winning streak as they beat the No. 17 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks Saturday night, 68-55.
After a close two-point loss to the Warhawks earlier this season, the Blugolds were hungry for a win on the road to end their regular season play. UW-Eau Claire came out strong as they took an 8-0 lead on UW-Whitewater half way into the first quarter. Their scoring streak didn't stop there. Eau Claire managed to out-pace Whitewater in all four periods.
With a ten-point lead to start the fourth period, Eau Claire finished strong, mainly due to their outstanding performance from the free throw line. The Blugolds were 28-31 from the charity stripe on the night, 11 of those came in the fourth quarter. Eau Claire's defense held Whitewater to 55 points, far below their 70 point per game average. The Blugolds shot 42 percent from the floor and from behind the arc in the game, and also had the bench contribute 32 points.
The game's leading scorer was Eau Claire's freshman Maddie Dunathan (Fr.-Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) with a game high, career-high 20 points. Dunathan was perfect from the free throw line (6-6), and managed to knock down four of her six three-point attempts.
Erin O'Toole (So.-Plymouth,MN/Hopkins) put up a solid 19 points on the night (11-13 from the line). Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/Lourdes) also pitched in 13 points and seven rebounds. Kayla Hanley (So.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chippewa Falls) came off the bench to contribute ten points and eight rebounds.
The Blugolds will be the 5th seed in the WIAC tournament and will head back to 4th seeded Whitewater on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
