Menomonie, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – After an offensive explosion in the first half, the UW-River Falls women's basketball team hung on to win their first WIAC game this season over UW-Stout 70-68.

THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-River Falls: 70, UW-Stout 68
Location: Johnson Fieldhouse, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Record: UWRF: 6-12 (1-6 WIAC), UW-Stout 5-13 (1-6 WIAC)
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• On the final possession the Blue Devils had a shot to take the lead down by just one point. The Falcons defense stiffened up and forced a missed layup and a defensive rebound by Crystal Pearson sealed the Falcons victory.
• UWRF roared out to an 11-4 lead early in the first quarter led by Hannah Pignato and Taylor Karge who combined for all 11 points.
• The Falcons entered the second quarter up 19-10, and followed up with another 19 point quarter with Karge scoring 10 points in the period. UWRF led by as much as 24 points in the quarter and ended the first half up 38-21.
• The third quarter held a solid lead early in the second half, leading by 17 points with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter. Pignato had increased her point total to 14 points to help the Falcons hold off the Blue Devils.
• UW-Stout began their comeback at this point going on a 14-5 run and pulling within eight points with about a minute left in the third quarter. The Blue Devils would own a 10-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.
• With 4:53 to go in the fourth quarter, the Falcons had increased their lead to 11 points, and looked poised to finish the game strong. UW-Stout cut the lead to five in just 58 seconds with a 7-1 run.
• The Falcons held on to the game and escaped with the road win with Pearson hitting a free throw with two seconds to go and the Blue Devils couldn't hoist up a shot in time to tie the game.           

 
IN-DEPTH LOOK

• Taylor Karge used a 14 point first half to help pace the Falcons. She would finish with 20 points, four rebounds, and three blocks.   
• Pignato was 6-9 from the floor and finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
• Taylor Paulsrud hit a pair of three pointers and finished with eight points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes.
• UWRF finished 24-54 (44.4 percent) from the floor and sank eight shots from beyond the arc in 14 attempts (57.1 percent).  

THE OPPOSITION

• UW-Stout had four players reach double-figures with Kyncaide Diedrich leading the way with 19 points.  
• Bailey Diersen finished with 15 points, Jenna Goldsmith and Anna Brown each had 14 points. Goldsmith also finished with 10 rebounds.
• As a team UW-Stout shot 24-65 (36.9 percent) and nailed six three pointers in 24 attempts.  

 
LOOKING AHEAD
UW-River Falls will next return home with a matchup with UW-Stevens Point (12-6, 4-3 WIAC) on January 28^th at 3 p.m. The Falcons fell to the Pointers earlier this season 64-48.