Box Score

WHITEWATER, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The 18^th ranked UW- River Falls women's basketball team (15-4, 6-2 WIAC) looked to keep pace for first place in the WIAC in a road contest against 17^th ranked UW- Whitewater (16-3, 5-3 WIAC), but fell short of a 12 point fourth quarter comeback by a score of 62-59 on the road.

In the first quarter, the Falcons came out firing with a 7-0 run, and obtained their largest lead of the game before the Warhawks even had a chance to score. The Warhawks responded right back with a 10-3 run of their own to tie the game at 10-10 with 4:04 to go in the first quarter.

UWRF then responded with a small 6-0 run and ended the quarter up 16-12 with Kate Theisen scoring eight points for the Falcons in the first quarter alone.

In the second quarter, the Falcons offense was quiet, scoring a season-low four points and the Warhawks took a commanding 29-20 lead going into halftime at home.

In the third quarter, sophomore Taylor Karge took control after scoring just four points in the first half, Karge went on to score nine points in the third quarter to help the Falcons keep pace with the tough Warhawks. The Warhawks took a 49-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter of play, UW- River Falls instituted a 9-2 run to come within five points of UW- Whitewater with 7:32 to go, and had their sights set on a comeback. The Warhawks were able to keep distance, but a three pointer from Mikaela Wilson brought the game within two points with 4:12 to go in the fourth quarter.

As time began to work against the Falcons, the team had to intentionally foul the Warhawks. The Falcons had a chance at the end of the game with one second, but could not tie the game and fell 62-59.

Karge led the team with 21 points on the night, 17 in the second half with five rebounds and three blocks. Theisen scored 13 points on 6-10 shooting and had five rebounds. Richell Mehus contributed nine points, six rebounds, six assists, and a block in a solid all-around performance.

As a team, the Falcons shot 23-54 (42.6 percent) from the floor, better than UW- Whitewater's 24-71 (33.8 percent). The Falcons also dominated the paint with 40 points to the Warhawks 30. The Warhawks were able to get 20 offensive rebounds that lead to 24 second chance points and make a difference in the game.

Next up for 18^th ranked UW- River Falls will be a road test against UW- Eau Claire (9-10, 4-4 WIAC) on Wednesday February 3. The Falcons defeated the Blugolds earlier this year 71-62 at home. The Falcons sit in a tie for second place in the WIAC, a game behind UW- Oshkosh.