EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team used a 16-0 run late in the second half to defeat UW-Stevens Point 62-54 tonight at Zorn Arena.

This win puts the Blugolds, who are currently ranked 25th in the D3hoops.com poll, at 8-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play (WIAC) play and 14-3 overall. The Pointers drop to 6-2 in WIAC play and 15-2 overall.

With 6:50 left to play in the game, the Blugolds had their biggest deficit of the game. They were behind eight points after a Chelsey Kranz jumper to make the score 49-41. The Blugolds then went on a huge 16-0 run to take the 57-49 lead. During that time Michelle Burns (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) couldn't be stopped. Burns had six straight points and had 10 points total during that 16-0 run. The Blugolds also shot eight free throws and made all eight free throws during that time. Stevens Point would try to make a comeback with a Laura Neuenfeldt three point play, but Burns, Hannah Mesick (Fr.-Chatfield, MN), and Heidi Arciszewski (Jr.-Thorp, WI) had free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The Blugolds came out and had an 8-0 run in the first half. During that run Heather Witt (Jr.-Kendall, WI/Royall) had a steal and went coast-to-coast for the layup. The Blugolds also got a layup from Arciszewski and Ashley Anderson (Jr.-Oakdale, MN/North St. Paul), and a big three pointer from Rachel Mueggenborg (Sr.-West Salem, WI). Stevens Point then turned up the defense and turned Blugold turnovers into points. The teams would go back and forth trading baskets and free throws. The Blugolds ended the first half with a Burns jumper, Witt layup, and Mueggenborg three point play. Stevens Point would answer with two jumpers and a three to tie the game at 26.

The Blugolds shot 40 percent from the floor, 22 percent from three point range, and an amazing 95 percent from the free throw line. The Pointers shot 36 percent from the floor, 18 percent from three point land, and 64 percent from the free throw line. The Blugolds outrebounded Stevens Point 38-35, and had 13 offensive rebounds to the Pointers' nine. Each team had 17 turnovers.

Burns was high scorer for the Blugolds with 18 points, going 8-8 from the free throw line. Arciszewski had 12 points, and Witt had eight points and three steals. Mesick led the team with nine rebounds. Stevens Point was led by Britta Peterson's 13 points.

Up next for the Blugolds is UW-La Crosse. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Box Score

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