RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com)-The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team faced the #1 seed of the WIAC tournament, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons. The Blugolds fell to the Falcons on Thursday night, 47-53.
The Blugolds coming off a WIAC conference tournament quarterfinal win at UW-Whitewater on Tuesday and looking to win their fifth in a row had a strong first half. The first half stayed close as both team shot the ball well. The Blugolds held a two-point lead after the first quarter and a three-point lead heading into the half. The Blugolds shot 43% from the floor and were six of thirteen from behind the arc in the first half.
The second half was a battle back and forth, with the lead changing three times in the third quarter. Both teams made runs that were quickly answered as neither team led by more than 5 points. The Blugolds trailed the Falcons heading into the final quarter by three points. River Falls held their lead the entire fourth quarter the Blugolds cutting the lead to one multiple times. Cold shooting in the second half slowed the Blugolds down offensively. The Blugolds shot 18% from the floor and did not convert on any three point attempts in the second half. The Blugolds defense was able to hold River Falls down from their average and the lead was cut to three with one minute remaining with two free throws made by senior Teenie Lichtfuss. The Falcons came up with a critical offensive rebound that forced the Blugolds to foul with twenty-three seconds remaining. River Falls finished at the free throw line securing the six- point win.
The game's leading scorer was River Falls' Katie Theisen with 15 points. Eau Claire's Arien Becker (Jr.-Hayward, WI/Hayward) put up a career high 14 points and seven rebounds. Teenie Lichtfuss (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/Lourdes) also contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
The Falcons advance to the WIAC title game, where they will face UW-Oshkosh in a re-match of the conference regular season title game last Saturday.
