Box Score Winona, Minn. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's basketball team fell 88-55 at Saint Mary's University (Minn.) Saturday afternoon in the 2013-14 season-opener for both teams.  It is the Cardinals' second straight win over the Eagles after a 56-45 victory last season in La Crosse.  UW-L won the first five meetings in school history between the two teams.

The Cardinals never trailed in the contest, racing out to a 6-0 lead on three-point field goals from Darcey Rice and Shelby Auseth.  After Marina Kneeland hit one-of-two at the free throw line for UW-L to cut the lead to 6-1, Saint Mary's went on a 13-2 run to lead 19-3 with 15:21 left in the first half.

UW-L cut its deficit to 25-15 with 8:05 remaining after a Jenny Gallagher three-pointer, but Saint Mary's scored the next five points to lead 30-15.  The Eagles cut the lead to 35-22 with 3:29 left on a pair of Kelsey Robers free throws, but the Cardinals finished the half on a 7-0 run to lead 42-22.

The Eagles could get no closer than 18 points in the second half at 42-24 after Rachel Atchison's layup to open the second half scoring.  The Cardinals led by as many as 35 points in the second half.

UW-L shot 33.3% from the field, including 23.1% (three-of-13) from three-point range.  The Eagles shot 64.3% (18-of-24) at the free throw line while finishing with 25 turnovers.

Maggi Bishop led UW-L with 12 points off the bench, finishing three-of-five from the field and six-of-eight at the line.  Erin Levenhagen and Atchison each finished with eight points.  Robers, Katie Ehlen, Sarah Klopp and MaKenzie Miller each had four rebounds.

Saint Mary's shot 40.5% from the field, including 29.2% (seven-of-24) from three-point range.  The team shot 84.0% (21-of-25) at the line.

Auseth led the Cardinals with 16 points while Courtney Euerle finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Mariam Awoniyi had nine points and game-high nine rebounds.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, November 20 at Luther College (Iowa) beginning at 7 p.m.