PLATTEVILLE - After losing its first five conference games, the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team has now won two straight after a 71-60 victory over UW-Platteville tonight.

The victory gives the Blugolds a 7-9 overall record and a 2-5 conference record. The loss drops the Pioneers to 8-7 overall and 4-3 in the conference.

The Pioneers went up 4-2 early, however that would be their last lead of the game after a three-pointer by Blugold Liz Van Drasek (Sr.-Albertville, MN/St. Michael-Albertville). The Blugolds would use an 8-0 run to extend a three-point lead to 11 with 9:33 to go in the first half. With the score 29-19 with just under five minutes remaining in the half, the Pioneers would outscore the Blugolds 10-4 to cut the Blugold lead to 33-29 at the half.

Both teams struggled in the first half, with neither team shooting over 40%. The Blugolds were 4-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Blugolds would get the lead back up to double-digits early in the second half, outscoring the Pioneers 10-2 in the first four minutes. The Blugolds would have their biggest lead of the game of 13 with 10:42 to go after a jumper by Brittanni Hakanson (Fr.-Wheeler, WI/Boyceville).

The Pioneers would only get as close as six the rest of the way as the Blugolds were on fire from the free throw line making 15 of 16 in the second half and 22 of 24 for the game. The Blugolds would go onto win 71-60.

The Pioneers out-shot the Blugolds for the game, but that was offset by 18 turnovers.

Heidi Arciszewski (Fr.-Thorp, WI) set another career-high in points, this time with 21, which led all scorers. The Hakanson twins both had good games. Brittanni Hakanson had 10 points and Brooke Hakanson (Fr.-Wheeler, WI/Boyceville) had 11 off the bench. Van Drasek led the Blugolds in rebounds with 10.

Up next the Blugolds will play the second game of three-straight road games, as they will travel to face UW-Superior on Wednesday night. The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Platteville Box Score

- JR -