Box Score

LA CROSSE, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)- The 15^th ranked UW-River Falls women's basketball team holds a half-game lead for first place in the WIAC over the UW-Oshkosh Titans. If the Falcons (18-4, 9-2 WIAC) want to hold on to their slim lead, they had to take of business against the UW-La Crosse Eagles.
 
In their first matchup with the Eagles, the Falcons scored a season high 95 points on their way to a blow out victory. It was more of the same in their second matchup of the season, as the Falcons bested the Eagles 67-49 to stay in possession of first place in the WIAC.
 
The Falcons gained possession off of the opening tip and took the lead 15 seconds into the game on a layup from junior forward Kate Theisen. 45 seconds later the Eagles knotted up the game at 2 on a layup from MaKenzie Miller.
 
For over half of the first quarter, the Eagles hung close to the Falcons. UWL would counter a Falcons' made field goal with a made field goal of their own, but with over four minutes left in the first quarter, the Falcons took control.
 
UWRF ended the first quarter on a 10-1 run to take a 21-12 lead over UWL. Sophomore forward Taylor Karge scored seven of the 10 points during the run. Junior guard Katie Messman scored the other three points on a three-point field goal.
 
UWRF began the second quarter with reserves Ali Clark, Cassy Saxton, and Hannah Pignato on the floor. They picked up right where the starters left off, as Ali Clark scored her first points of the game on a layup. UWL would not go away, as it went on a 4-11 run to cut the Falcons lead to 27-24.
 
The Falcons created some distance before halftime commenced. Taylor Karge and senior guard Richell Mehus went on a 6-0 run to give the Falcons a 33-24 lead at halftime.
 
The Falcons played lock-down defense in the first half, and that continued in the third quarter. The Falcons only allowed eight points to the Eagles in the third quarter.
 
The offensive efficiency continued in the third quarter, as Kate Theisen began the third quarter with a layup and two made free throws to put the Falcons up 37-24. Theisen's four points were just the beginning of the run, as the Falcons went on a 15-2 run in the first 6:30 of the third quarter.
 
Along with Theisen, Richell Mehus and Taylor Karge were the key contributors to the 15-2 run.
 
Katie Messman buried two three-point field goals and junior forward Taylor Augustine made a layup to round out the scoring in the third quarter for the Falcons. After three quarters, the Falcons led 56-32.
 
All but one starter began the fourth quarter on the bench, but that did not stop the Falcons from keeping their lead at or around 20 points. Taylor Augustine and Ali Clark were two key contributors for the Falcons in the fourth quarter. The final score of the game was 67-49 in favor of the Falcons.
 
Taylor Karge was the leading scorer for the Falcons, as she scored 15 points in the victory. She also snagged 11 rebounds and that was good enough for a double double. Kate Theisen was right behind Karge with 14 points and nine rebounds. Katie Messman tallied nine points and Brynn Liljander and Richell Mehus scored eight points apiece. Taylor Augustine, Ali Clark, and Mikaela Wilson scored a combined 12 points off of the bench. Mehus had a career high seven steals. 
 
The Falcons are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 13 when they travel to UW-Platteville to take on the Pioneers. The tipoff is set for 7 p.m.