SAN ANTONIO, TX - A three-point basket by Heidi Arciszewski (So. -Thorp) with 1:48 remaining in the game gave the Blugolds their first lead since the 5:30 mark of the second half as UW-Eau Claire defeated Bethel (MN) 60-58 here today in the first game of the Trinity University Holiday Tournament held at Sams Gymnasium.

The win improves the Blugolds' overall record to 7-4 while Bethel falls to 1-5.

The game featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties as both teams held a lead no bigger than six points throughout the game. Bethel had its largest lead with 9:20 remaining in the first half and the Blugolds had its largest lead with 13:19 remaining in regulation.

The Blugolds got on the board first on two made free throws by Brittanni Hakanson (So.-Wheeler/Boyceville) gave Eau Claire the early 2-0 lead. The Blugolds held the lead until a jumper by Annegret Nautsch gave the Royals a 14-12 lead. Eau Claire quickly countered on a Rachel Mueggenborg (Jr.-West Salem) three-point shot giving the Blugolds a 15-14 lead.

The Royals regained the lead on another Nautsch jumper at 11:52 and would maintain that lead until Hakanson made one of two free throws with 56 seconds remaining until half time to give Eau Claire a 30-29 lead. The Royals answered with a lay-up by Heather Davis with 48 seconds remaining in the first half. Neither team over the remainder of the half as Bethel entered the locker room with a 31-30 lead.

Eau Claire struck first in the second half as Arciszewski scored a jumper in the paint at 18:17 to help the Blugolds regain the lead at 32-31.

After three lead changes and the game tied at 36-36 the Blugolds would go on a 6-0 run over the next three minutes to give Eau Claire its biggest lead at 42-36. Hakanson started the run with a jumper followed by a lay-up by Michelle Burns (Jr.-Eau Claire/North) and two made free throws by Heather Witt (So.-Kendall/Royall).

The Blugolds maintained the lead until Bethel made a three-point shot at 10:34 to retake the lead at 45-44. Arciszewski countered with a jumper at 9:03 to go back ahead 46-45.

After another lead change and tie Arciszewski scored again in the paint to put the Blugolds ahead 48-47 with 8:23 remaining. Bethel scrapped back as Nautsch connected on a paint shot breaking a 52-52 tie to give the Royals a 54-52 lead with 3:29 to play.

The lead remained for the Royals until Arciszewski's three-point field goal, her only three-point attempt of the game, went in at 1:48 to give the Blugolds a lead they would not relinquish.

Arciszewski was the only Blugold in double-digit points with 12 but five other Blugolds scored either eight or nine points. The inside combo of Burns and Hakanson scored nine points apiece followed by Mueggenborg, Witt and Amanda Zenner (Jr.-Medford) each scoring eight points. Burns led all players with nine points just missing a double-double.

An aggressive Blugold defense recorded 15 steals lead by Witt with four while Arciszewski and Zenner each tallied three steals. With the aid of 15 steals the Blugolds outscored the Royals in points off turnovers 18-7.

With the win the Blugolds advanced to tomorrow's championship game versus the winner of the Trinity-Manchester (IN) game. The championship game is set for tip-off at 4:00 P.M.

Eau Claire-Bethel Box Score

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