Box Score

RIVER FALLS, WIs. (uwrfsports.com) - The UW- River Falls women's basketball team (14-3, 5-1 WIAC) bounced back with a home victory over UW- Platteville (4-15, 1-5 WIAC) with Taylor Karge tying her season high in points with 23 and adding 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season in the 72-63 victory.

The only lead for the Pioneers came in the first quarter with a 2-0 lead on the opening bucket, but the Falcons lead the remainder of the game forcing the Pioneers to 26 turnovers, including 10 in the first quarter.

In the first quarter, the Falcons held the Pioneers to 10 points and scored 20 points to take a double digit lead into the second quarter with Kate Theisen scoring eight points on 4-6 shooting in the quarter.

The taller Pioneers were forced into many turnovers, but were able to hang around in the second quarter going on a 10-0 run to cut the UWRF lead to just four points with 1:09 to go in the second quarter. The Falcons were able to take a six point lead into the halftime break with the score 36-30.

As the third quarter began, UW- Platteville came out with a quick 4-0 run to cut the lead to two points after trailing by as much as 15 in the first half. The Falcons then responded with an 11-2 run to gain a 11 point lead with 3:22 to go in the third quarter capped off by a Katie Messman three pointer. The Falcons took an 11 point lead into the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, UWRF extended their lead back to 15 points, their largest of the game, with 7:57 to go. Theisen scored five fourth quarter points and finished with 13 points. UW- Platteville's young team had some fight, in the fourth quarter after trailing by 15, a 10-1 run brought the Pioneers within six points with 4:03 to go in the game.

UWRF was able to milk the rest of the game out, and win by a nine point margin and won 72-63. The Pioneers were led by freshman Morgan Horstman with 16 points on 5-11 shooting and added seven rebounds.
The Falcons were led by Karge's 23 points and 10 rebounds, but had four players in double figures. The Falcons starters scored 68 of the 72 total points.

Brynn Liljander scored 16 points on 6-11 shooting and had five rebounds in 34 minutes. Theisen shot 6-10 from the floor with her 13 points and six rebounds. Richell Mehus scored 13 points on 4-7 shooting to go along with four assists, three rebounds, five steals, and a block. Katie Messman scored three points and snagged four rebounds in the game. Hannah Pignato was the only bench player to score for UWRF with four points.

From the floor, the Falcons shot 25-60 (41.7 percent) and converted six three pointers on 19 attempts. UWRF made 16-23 (69.6 percent) from the charity stripe. The rebound battle was won by the Pioneers with 40 rebounds to the Falcons 35.

Next up for the Falcons will be another home game against UW- La Crosse (6-11, 0-6 WIAC) on January 27 at 7 p.m. UWRF last season split with UW- La Crosse and lead the all-time series 39-34.