EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team was never able to get into a rhythm tonight and fell to UW-River Falls 83-62 at Zorn Arena.

While the Blugolds led right off the bat 1-0 after a free throw by Ellen Plendl (So.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell), the Falcons came right back down the court and nailed a three-pointer to take a lead they would never give up.

River Falls built its lead steadily throughout the first half, getting up by as much as 16, and took a 12-point lead into halftime. However, Eau Claire outscored the Falcons 11-3 over the final two minutes of the first half and the first three minutes of the second half to close the gap to just seven.

The Blugolds were within nine points with just under eight minutes to play but River Falls outscored the Blugolds 22-10 the rest of the way. The Falcons reached their largest lead of the game of 23 points with just over one minute remaining.

The Falcons recorded their second-best shooting percentage of the season, going 31-for-53 (58.5 percent) while the Blugolds had their third lowest shooting percentage of the year, 35.6 percent (21-for-59). The Blugolds also had a tough time down low and for only the second time this season were outrebounded with the Falcons pulling down 37 to Eau Claire's 35.

Eau Claire also had trouble stopping the Falcons on the outside as they scored nine three-pointers to tie a season-high. The Blugolds managed just two baskets from beyond the arc.

One bright spot for the Blugolds was the fact they committed just 12 turnovers, the second fewest this season.

Hannah Mesick (Jr.-Chatfield, Minn.) led Eau Claire with 18 points while Jess Freagon (So.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) added a career-high 12 points. Plendl pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the game. It was her sixth game this year she reached double digits in rebounding.

Tiffany Gregorich led the Falcons with a career-high 30 points while Brittany Gregorich added 10. Brittany Gregorich and Maranda Dohrn each pulled down seven rebounds to lead River Falls.

The Blugolds will try to get back on track Saturday when they host UW-Platteville. Action will get underway at 3 p.m.