SAN ANTONIO, TX - Rebounding and good free throw shooting helped the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team win the Trinity Holiday Tournament by defeating the host school in the championship game 69-56 here today at Sams Gymnasium.

The win improved the Blugolds overall record to 8-4 entering conference play next week. Trinity received one vote in the latest D3hoops.com top 25 national poll and had a seven-game winning streak snapped to the Blugolds. The Tigers are now 7-3 on the season.

After grabbing an early 2-0 on a jumper by Amanda Zenner (Jr.-Medford) the Tigers would come back to tie and take the lead which they held for over 10 minutes holding a lead of no more than six points throughout that stretch. The Blugolds continued to claw their way back and regained the lead on a made free throw by Ashley Anderson (So.-Oakdale, MN/North St. Paul) put the Blugolds ahead 19-18. Trinity would regain the lead three minutes later at 23-22 and maintain it the rest of the first half until Heidi Arciszewski (So.-Thorp) scored a lay-up with eight seconds remaining to put the Blugolds ahead 30-29 at half time.

The Tigers stormed out of the locker room to start the second half going on a 12-2 run over the first 4:49 of the second half to take a 41-32 lead. The Blugolds slowly chipped away at the Tiger lead eventually regaining the lead on a Heather Witt (So.-Kendall/Royall) three-pointer to give the Blugolds a 50-48 advantage. The Blugolds ended the game on a 19-8 run over the final 8:45 of the game to win the tournament championship on the Tigers' home floor.

The Blugolds held the Tigers to 32.1% shooting and held a 46-29 rebounding advantage. The Blugolds continued the hot shooting from the free throw line as they converted 27-of-32 free throws in the victory.

Arciszewski was named the tournament Most Valuable Player as she scored a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. Michelle Burns (Jr.-Eau Claire/North) was also named to the All-Tournament Team as she scored five points in addition to hauling in eight rebounds. Anderson, Zenner and Rachel Mueggenborg (Jr.-West Salem) each scored 10 points in the victory.

The Blugolds return home this coming Wednesday, January 3 to open conference play hosting UW-Whitewater. Game time is set for 7:00 P.M.

Eau Claire-Trinity Box Score

- KM -