DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team ended its three-game losing streak with a solid 60-42 triumph over the previously-unbeaten University of Mary Washington Eagles on the first day of the Land of Magic Classic here Thursday.

The Blugolds held the Fredericksburg, Virginia school to 23 percent shooting from the field in the final 20 minutes after taking a slim 25-22 lead at the intermission. UMW hit just 3 of 21 shots from three-point range in the contest.

The Blugolds scored the first nine points of the second half, six by Jessica Dickey (Sr.-White Bear Lake, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) and three by Rachel Becker (Jr.-Gilmanton), and built their advantage to 17 (46-29) just past the midway point of the half.

The loss was the first of the season for Mary Washington which had won its first eight games this season and was receiving votes in the most recent D3hoops.com poll.

Freshman Michelle Burns (Eau Claire/North) scored 10 of her game-high 15 points in the first half and also helped the team to a 42-34 edge on the boards with eight rebounds, matching teammate Becca Carstensen (Jr.-Eau Claire/Memorial) for game-high honors.

Liz Van Drasek (Albertville, MN/St. Michael) came off the bench to score 14, hitting 5 of 8 from the field including her only three-point attempt. Dickey finished with 10 points and Carstensen had eight points to go with her eight boards.

The Blugolds improved to 8-3 on the season after sustaining consecutive losses to UW-Oshkosh, UW-La Crosse and South Dakota State.

The Blugolds will meet SUNY-Potsdam Friday in their final game at the Land of Magic Classic which does not crown a team champion.

Eau Claire-Mary Washington Box Score

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