The women's basketball team lost its season opener 57-50 to No. 20 Carthage College in the first round of the St. Norbert tournament in De Pere, Wisc.

Senior Brittany Gregorich (Altoona, WI, Altoona) led the way with 16 points.  She also added eight rebounds and four assists. Gregorich returns to Falcons as the lone returning starter from a year ago from a Falcon team that reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Tess Lueders (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater) added 11 points for the Falcons who shot around 29 percent from the field. Carthage meanwhile, shot 37.5 percent.

Brooke Lauritzen (Pulaski, WI, Pulaski), making her Falcon debut, led UWRF with 10 rebounds.  She also added two blocks and three of the Falcons' five steals.

The Falcons played No. 20 Carthage tough, trailing only by one at halftime.  However, a pair of costly turnovers to start the second half allowed Carthage to build a steady lead that they would never relinquish.  The Falcons would tie, but never lead in the second half.  Carthage would lead by as many as eight during the half.

The Falcon bench was also strong as they outscored the Carthage bench 15-2.

With the loss, the Falcons are now 0-1 on the season.  They are 1-3 all time against Carthage.

They will return to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday for the consolation game of the St. Norbert tournament in De Pere against Lakeland College. UWRF is 2-0 all time against Lakeland.

Box Score