BROOKINGS, S.D. - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team stayed with Div. I South Dakota State through one half but couldn't withstand hot second half shooting from the Jackrabbits in losing 77-62 here today at Frost Arena.

The loss came against a tough South Dakota State team that earned wins over Kentucky, Northern Illinois and Texas State earlier this year. Their only losses came to Rutgers, Oregon State and USC.

The Jackrabbits busted open a tied game with an 11-0 run including three trifectas to open the second half. The Jackrabbits increased the lead to 15 before Eau Claire cut it to nine following a Katie Murphy (Sr.-La Crosse/Aquinas) three pointer. The Blugolds would get no closer as South Dakota State shot 50 percent from the field in the second half.

The Blugolds took the early lead on two Rachel Becker (Jr.-Gilmanton) free throws but the Jackrabbits followed with a 14-2 run to take a 14-4 lead. Eau Claire countered with a 13-2 run of their own including two three pointers from Joanna Leafblad (Sr.-Eau Claire/Memorial).

South Dakota State retook control building an eight point lead with 3:17 remaining in the first half. The Blugolds went on a 10-0 run in the next two minutes taking a two point lead with 1:12 left in the half. The Jackrabbits scored inside with less than minute left in the half to send the game into intermission tied at 35.

Becker led four Blugolds in double digits with 15 points. Murphy, Leafblad and Jessica Dickey (Sr.-White Bear Lake, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) each added 11. Becker added team-highs of seven rebounds and five assists.

Eau Claire shot 38.8 percent for the game while the Jackrabbits shot 44.6 percent. The Blugolds tied a season-high with nine three pointers in 22 attempts but committed a season-high 24 turnovers while only forcing 13.

The loss drops Eau Claire's record to 7-3 overall.

The Blugolds will be in action next when they travel to Florida to play in the Daytona Beach Tournament Dec. 30-31. Eau Claire is set to open up against Mary Washington (VA) at noon on the Dec. 30.

Eau Claire-South Dakota State Box Score

- JL -