WHITEWATER, Wis. - The third-ranked UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team fell for the first time this season, losing 73-61 to fourth-ranked UW-Whitewater tonight at Kachel Gym at Williams Center.

With the win Whitewater improves to 14-1 overall and 5-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Eau Claire drops to 12-1 on the season and 4-1 in the conference. The teams were co-champions in the WIAC a season ago when they finished with 14-2 records in conference play.

The Blugolds jumped out to an early lead today and did not allow Whitewater to score for the first two minutes. After seven minutes of play, the teams found themselves tied at 9-9. The Warhawks then turned it up a notch and took the lead, a lead they would never give up. Whitewater then proceeded to increase its lead to double-digits and took a 34-24 lead into the half.

Eau Claire managed to close the gap in the second half, getting to within three a few times in the period. But the Blugolds were never able to get any closer the rest of the way and Whitewater hung on for the 12-point victory.

Whitewater outshot Eau Claire from the field, going 46.8 percent (22-for-47) to the Blugolds' 36.9 percent (24-for-65). Both teams were almost even on the glass with Whitewater pulling down 38 boards to Eau Claire's 34.

Heidi Arciszewski (Sr.-Thorp, Wis.) led the Blugolds with 18 points and seven rebounds. Hannah Mesick (So.-Chatfield, Minn.) added 14. Missy Fremstad (Sr.-Osseo, Wis./Osseo-Fairchild) led the game with five assists and Heather Witt (Sr.-Kendall, Wis./Royall) led the game with four steals.

Whitewater's Tiffany Morton and Kelsey Hendrickson led the game with 19 points, while Morton pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

Up next Eau Claire will be back at home for more conference action. The Blugolds will face Oshkosh in Zorn Arena at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Eau Claire-Whitewater Box Score

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