Greensboro, N.C.. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's basketball team showed no signs of rust from a three week break from competition as they defeated Guilford College (N.C.) 76-74 on day one of the Guilford College Holiday Tournament. 

THE BASICS 
Final Score: UW-La Crosse 76, Guilford College 74
Location: Ragan-Brown Field House, Greensboro, N.C.   
Records: UWL 7-3, Guilford College (N.C.) 8-2
Next Up: Day two of the Guilford College Holiday Tournament continues on Sunday with UW-La Crosse facing the University of Mary Washington (Va.) at 12 p.m. (CST). 
 

                       
HOW DID IT HAPPEN

• UWL got off to a fast start as Grace Knupp hit a three-pointer on the Eagles first possession and UWL built an early 18-3 lead. Lauryn MIlne would score eight points to spark the run for the Eagles. Guilford would score the final 10 points of the opening period to cut their deficit to 18-13. The Quakers would hit three-pointers on their final two possessions of the period. 
• A three-pointer by Molly Janke with 8:02 on the clock would give the Eagles a 23-13 lead; however, Guilford scored seven unanswered to pull within 23-20 with 6:41 remaining in the half. UWL then scored eight of the final 10 points of the half as they took a 39-30 lead at halftime. Katie Waukau hit back-to-back three-pointers on UWL's final two possessions of the half. 
• The two teams would trade baskets to start the second half but with UWL leading 46-38, the Eagles would get a layup from Malia Nelson and back-to-back three-pointers by Knupp to extend their lead to its largest of the game at 54-41 (2:22). Guilford would cut their deficit to 55-49 at the end of the third quarter by scoring eight of the final nine points. 
• After Zoe Bayer cut the Quakers deficit to 55-51 to start the fourth quarter, Ali Sprangers would hit a three-pointer for the Eagles followed by a layup up by Milne and a three-pointer from Madisyn Kilboten to extend their lead back to double digits (63-53) with 6:21 remaining. A Waukau three-pointer followed by a three from Sydney Torgerson would give the Eagles a 70-59 lead with 3:39 remaining. Guilford would slowly chip away and eventually pull within 75-72 on a three-pointer from Carleigh Perry with :05 seconds remaining. Nelson would seal the win for UWL by going one-for-two at the free throw line. Bayer would hit a layup as time expired for the final score of 76-74. 

FROM THE BOX SCORE

• As a team, the Eagles finished 27-of-56 (48.2%) from the floor including 11-of-25 (44%) from the three-point line. The 11 three-pointers are tied for the fifth most in a game and it is the third time this season the Eagles have made 11 as they did it against Simpson College (Iowa) (11/10/24) and Lakeland University (11/23/24). 
• UWL also finished 11-of-16 (68.6%) from the free throw line and had a 48-30 advantage on the boards. 
• Individually, Milne led the Eagles with her third double-double of the season as she finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. 
• Also scoring in double figures for the Eagles was Knupp who finished with 12 points including three, three-pointers. 
• Malia Nelson finished with an all-around productive game for the Eagles as she had seven points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steal. 
• Guilford finished the game 28-of-70 (40.0%) from the floor including five-of-15 (33.3%) from the three-point line. The Quakers were also 13-of-20 (65.0%) from free throw line. 
• Courtney McMillan led the Quakers with 17 points while Zoe Bayer added 15 points and Carleigh Perry scored 10.