EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball came back from a 15-point deficit to grab a second half lead but couldn't hold onto it as they fell to 19th-ranked Millikin University 69-65 here tonight at Zorn Arena.

Trailing by 12 early in the opening stages of the second half, Eau Claire went on a 17-4 run to take a 42-41 lead with 13:33 left in regulation. The Blugolds used a full court press during the run converting numerous Big Blue turnovers into points. Michelle Burns (Fr.-Eau Claire/North) scored the first seven points of the run. Eau Claire took their first lead since the game's opening minute when Jessica Dickey (Sr.-White Bear Lake, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) hit a free throw to finish off a three-point play and the run.

The Blugolds and Big Blue exchanged baskets for the next nine minutes before Millikin went on an 11-1 run to open up a 10 point lead with 1:43 remaining. Eau Claire twice cut the lead to three in the final minute but would get no closer.

Eau Claire scored the first points of the game off a Rachel Becker (Jr.-Gilmanton) trifecta in the opening minute. Millikin responded scoring the next 13 points to take a 13-3 lead.

Big Blue increased the lead to a game-high 15 points when the Blugolds went on an 11-2 run to close within six with 49 seconds left in the half. Millikin scored two baskets in the final 30 seconds of the half to take a 35-25 lead into half.

Dickey led all scorers with 20 points and added seven rebounds and four steals. Burns had her second career double-double scoring 17 points and pulling down a career-best 12 boards. Becker added 17 points and a team-best six assists.

The Blugold defense forced 22 turnovers but allowed Big Blue to shoot 51.9 percent for the game. Millikin controlled the paint scoring 40 points in the paint and outrebounding Eau Claire 42-32.

The loss drops the Blugolds to 9-4 on the year while Millikin improves to 9-1 on the year with the win.

Eau Claire will be in action next when they host UW-Platteville Saturday as part of a doubleheader. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Eau Claire-Millikin Box Score

- JL -