EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Looking to extend its winning streak to nine games, the eighth-ranked UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team beat WIAC opponent UW-La Crosse 66-52 this evening at Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds are now 9-0 on the season and 3-0 in conference play, while La Crosse falls to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Due to a slow start, the Blugolds had to play from behind early, going down 2-0. The Eagles' lead would be short-lived, as the Blugolds took a 7-4 lead on a three pointer from Heather Witt (Sr.-Kendall, Wis./Royall) at the 12:22 mark. The score would remain close, with the lead changing hands four times in the first half. The Blugolds took just a three point lead with them into halftime.

Eau Claire was able to grab the momentum immediately in the second half, extending its lead to eight points on another three from Witt and a layup from Hannah Mesick (So.-Chatfield, Minn.), making the score 33-25. The Blugolds would hang on to the lead the remainder of the game, thanks in large part to a field goal percentage of 60.9 percent. Eau Claire would build a lead as big as 17 on numerous occasions to secure yet another victory.

Witt led the offensive charge with 23 points to go along with six assists and three steals. Mesick and Ashley Anderson (Sr.-Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul) were the other two Blugolds to reach double-digits, scoring 16 and 10 points, respectively. Mesick also led the team in rebounds with seven. Mackenzie Hunter paced the Eagles with 23 points and four rebounds.

Eau Claire will take next week off before heading to the University of South Dakota to take on the Coyotes on December 20. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Eau Claire-La Crosse Box Score

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