The women's basketball team upset the #4 seed UW-Eau Claire 66-44, in the first round of the WIAC play-offs on Wednesday at the Zorn Arena in Eau Claire. UWRF came into the game as the #5 seed.

The Falcons were led by Nikki Guhr (Muskego, Muskego), who poured in a career high 17 points.  Her previous career high was 15, which came back on Dec. 8, also against Eau Claire. Those 17 points led all players.

UWRF got off to a great start early on, leading 14-3 with 11:47 to go in the first half. The Falcons would continue to build upon the lead, going on an 8-0 run which eventually built to a 21-point lead with 1:07 remaining in the half.  The Falcons would hold Eau Claire to a mere 13 points in the first half.

In the second half, the Falcons would pick up right where they left off- with strong defense and a relentless offense. The Falcons always led by double digits, and the closest Eau Claire would come was within 14 with 15:17 remaining in the game. The largest lead for the Falcons was 26 with 1:59 left in the game.

As a team, the Falcons capitalized on Blugold mistakes, converting 19 points off turnovers.  The Falcons were unstoppable on the boards, tearing down 43 and limiting Eau Claire to 26.

Maranda Dohrn (Lake City, MN, Lake City) was the game's top rebounder.  She collected 12 boards to go along with 10 points, her seventh double- double of the season.

Tiffany Gregorich (Altoona, Altoona) was one of three Falcons to reach double digits for points.  She scored 12 to go along with Guhr's 17 and Dohrn's 10.

The Falcons also proved the depth and balance of their team as their bench scored 27 points.  Eau Claire's bench meanwhile, scored a dismal four.

The win marks the first time in history that the Falcons have defeated UWEC in a WIAC play-off game.  The Falcons came into the game 0-6 versus Eau Claire.  The Falcons improve to 4-12 in all WIAC play-off games. They also improve to 4-9 in the first round.  UWRF has yet to win a semifinal game, as they are 0-3 throughout school history.

Up next for the Falcons is the WIAC tournament semifinals.  The Falcons will face the top seed and D3hoops.com No.4 ranked, UW-Stevens Point.  The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb 25 at Stevens Point.  On Feb. 12, the Falcons fell on the road to the Pointers 71-58.

The Falcons will enter the game with an overall record of 16-10.  The Pointers are 23-2 overall.

Box Score