UW-Eau Claire 59. UW-Stout 41 |
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MENOMONIE (February 21, 2009) - In a low scoring affair between these two long time rivals, UW-Eau Claire came out on top over UW-Stout, 59-41, Saturday at Johnson Fieldhouse.
Neither team shot particularly well in a game that determined the final standings and the seeds for the WIAC tournament coming up next week - Eau Claire secured the third seed and Stout, the fourth seed. Both teams will host quarterfinal games.
The Blue Devils (15-10, 10-6) shot only 22.9 percent from the floor (11-48) for the game and shot 15 percent (3-20) in the second half. Eau Claire (21-4, 12-4) shot better, but not much. The Blugolds shot 36.8 percent (21-57) on the game and 29.6 percent (8-27) in the second half.
But nothing was decided until late in the game.
Eau Claire took an early lead, but Stout grabbed the lead midway through the first half by hitting six 3-pointers and held it until Heidi Arciszewski tied the game on a three-point play with three minutes left in the first half and the Blugolds held a 30-26 halftime lead.
Eau Claire maintained a narrow four-to-six point lead until 6-foot, 5-inch post player Ellen Plendl scored eight points over a two minute period to extend the Eau Claire lead to 53-49 with two minutes left to play.
Arciszewski led all scorers with 26 points. Plendl finished with 14 and 10 rebounds.
For Stout, Charlee Edwards (Sr, Danbury) led the team with 15 points. Julia Hirssig (Jr, Rochester, Minn), Stout's leading scorer, was limited to a season-low four points, but did pull down 10 rebounds.
Stout will host UW-La Crosse in the quarterfinals of the WIAC tournament, Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., while Eau Claire will host UW-River Falls.
After the game, the school recognized Hirssig for scoring her 1000th career point earlier this season and leading the NCAA Division III in field goal percentage last season.
The Blue Devils also retired the jersey number of Kelsey Duoss, a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference selection. Stout also recognized their three seniors, Edwards, Lindsey Gerber (Exeland) and Nikki Wyngaard (Kimberly).
