PARKLAND, Wash. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team wrapped up a two-day trip to Washington with a 50-43 loss to Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.) at Olson Auditorium tonight.

Eau Claire (3-10) had a tough time getting the offense going early as it scored just two points over the first six minutes. Six and a half minutes in, the Blugolds were down by 10 but then went on an 8-0 run to close the gap to just two. However, Pacific Lutheran (2-7) outscored the Blugolds 11-4 the rest of the half to take a nine point lead into halftime.

It was much of the same in the second half as Eau Claire had times when it was able to keep the score close and other times when Pacific Lutheran had a good lead. The Blugolds were down by as much as 15 in the second half and as close as five, with the last time coming with 14 seconds left to play.

While the two teams were nearly even with turnovers (Eau Claire had 23, Pacific Lutheran had 21), Pacific Lutheran shot much better, going 22-for-46 (47.8 percent) to the Blugolds' 15-for-49 (30.6 percent). Eau Claire held the rebounding edge with 34 to Pacific Lutheran's 31.

Hannah Mesick (Jr.-Chatfield, Minn.) recorded a double-double, leading the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds. She also had a game-high five steals and tied for a team-high two assists. Laura Olson (So.-Osseo, Wis./Osseo-Fairchild) added nine points and Leah Rempert (Fr.-Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) had eight.

The Blugolds will return to conference play next Wednesday (Jan. 6) when they travel to UW-Platteville for a game that is set to begin at 5 p.m.