Women's Basketball | 11/9/2014 4:02:00 PM

The Falcon women's basketball team had a solid effort in its loss against Div. I University of Wisconsin in an exhibition game on Sunday afternoon in Madison, Wis.

Yes, the Badgers won the game as expected, 94-55, but the Falcons got a chance to get on the court and see what lineup combinations worked well and now have an idea an idea on what parts of the game will be solid and what parts will need improvement.

"This was a great experience for our team," said Falcon Coach Cindy Holbrook after the game. "The Badgers are big and athletic, obviously we don't match up that way, but we learned a lot about our team today. I can't say enough about what a great experience it is to come to Madison and play our home state Badger team. They are a class act!"

Fourteen Falcons got to play in the contest that had the Badgers leading, 48-25, at halftime.

Katie Messman finished as the team's top scorer with 12 points. She was 4-9 from the field and all of her points came from behind the three-point line. UWRF finished 8-20 from behind the arc and against a Div. I opponent, that's a very good effort.

Four of the five starters were individuals who had played a college game before. Taylor Karge was the lone exception and she played well in her first collegiate contest. The freshman from Mankato, Minn., scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds in 26 minutes of playing time.

Jessie Van Wyhe was back on the floor for the Falcons after missing all of last year with an injury. The talented point guard scored five points and had two steals. She was charged with just two turnovers in 29 minutes of playing time. Having the talented point guard back in the lineup with be a key to the team's fortunes this year.

Last year's top returning scorer and rebounder, Richell Mehus, finished with five points and a team-best six rebounds. Mehus had three offensive and three defensive rebounds. She has a great talent for hunting down offensive rebounds and help the Falcons to some second chances in the offensive end. Of the 34 rebounds the Falcons grabbed, 15 came on the offensive end of the court.

Hannah Pignato gave the team a lift coming off the bench to score six points. She had a steal and an assist in just 14 minutes of action. Hayley Rau, another first-year player, had a good first collegiate outing. She came off the bench and contributed four points and four rebounds in 18 minutes of playing time. She also had one assist.

"We competed and worked on every possession," said Holbrook. "We saw a lot of good things and a lot we need to work on. When we do things right we're very good. And we have to do things right consistently - that will be our battle this year. I like our team a lot right now, but moving forward every day will make us or break us."

The Falcons don't have long for the season to officially begin. This coming weekend the Falcons play at the St. Benedict Tournament. On Saturday UWRF plays St. Mary's University at 1 p.m. Then on Sunday the Falcons play the host school at 3 p.m.

Box Score