Box Score La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's basketball team fell 54-44 to UW-Eau Claire Wednesday night in Mitchell Hall in the Eagles' final home game of the season.  UWL drops to 7-16 overall and 1-12 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) while UW-Eau Claire improves to 12-12 overall and 7-6 in the conference. 

UWL led by as many as seven points in the first half, including 14-7 after a MaKenzie Miller layup.  The Eagles led 14-8 at the end of the first quarter.  UWL opened the second quarter scoring five of the first seven points to lead 19-10 with 8:43 remaining.  UW-Eau Claire went on a 13-2 run to take a 23-21 lead with 2:19 left as Maddie Dunathan made one-of-two free throws.  The Blugolds led 28-25 at halftime.

Trailing 30-25 with 6:42 left in the third quarter, UWL scored the next five points to force a 30-30 tie on a Cameron Chapin jumper and Rachel Atchison three-point field goal.  The game was tied 33-33 at the end of the third quarter.

UWL took a 38-37 lead with 6:12 remaining as Miller hit one-of-two free throws, but UW-Eau Claire used a 12-1 run to lead 49-39 with 2:23 left. The Eagles could get no closer than six points the rest of the game as the Blugolds earned their fifth straight win in the series.

UWL shot 30.2% from the field, including 33.3% (four-of-12) from three-point range, and 57.1% (eight-of-14) at the free throw line.  Atchisoon led the Eagles with 11 points off the bench while Miller finished with eight points and game-high 11 rebounds.  Maggi Bishop totaled seven points, seven rebounds and three assists. 

UW-Eau Claire shot 34.0% from the field, including 45.5% (five-of-11) from three-point range, and 68.4% (13-of-19) at the line.  Erin O'Toole led the Blugolds with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Lichtfuss finished with 14 points and five assists.  Kayla Hanley had 10 points, five rebounds and four steals off the bench.

UWL travels to 19th-ranked UW-Stevens Point Saturday, February 20 at 3 p.m. in the season finale.