RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls Women's Basketball team lost its home matchup against UW-La Crosse at Page Arena on Wednesday, January 22, falling by a score of 64-59.
Three Falcons scored in double figures as the Falcons clawed back within two possessions late in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles built a 13-point advantage through the first three quarters that proved to be too much to overcome. The loss dropped UWRF's record on the season to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in WIAC play.
Right out of the gates, the Eagles jumped out to a 7-0 lead after making their first three shots off the opening jump. UWRF fought back to tie the game at 10-10 with 3:37 remaining, as Braelyn Beiler converted a jump shot. UW-La Crosse closed the quarter on a 6-1 run that gave the visitors a 16-11 lead at the first intermission.
The Eagles extended their lead to double-digits for the first time midway through the second quarter, as UWRF fell behind 28-18 with 3:51 to go in the first half. The Falcons cut the deficit to 30-15 with under a minute to go, but a three-pointer by UW-La Crosse' Emma Jossie with 14 seconds remaining put UW-River Falls down 33-25 heading into halftime.
After UWRF's Zoey Buchan opened the second half with a three-pointer to cut UWL's lead to 33-28, the Eagles responded with a 9-0 run that gave UW-La Cross a 42-28 lead with 4:43 remaining. The Eagles led by as much as 15 and went into the fourth quarter leading 47-34.
The fourth quarter was UWRF's most productive shooting period of the game, as the Falcons went 8-16 (50%) from the field and 2-4 (50%) from three-point range. UW-River Falls chipped away at the lead, cutting the disadvantage to under single digits as a 7-1 run early on got the game within seven points. After UW-La Crosse bounced back and retook a 56-45 double-digit lead with 2:43 remaining, UWRF went on an 8-1 run that brought the game within two possessions, with the Falcons trailing 57-53 with 1:01 left in the game.
UW-La Crosse converted 13 out of its 18 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter, which ultimately limited UWRF's chances of completing the comeback — the Eagles ultimately held on to win 64-59.
Olivia Hoerl led UWRF with 15 points, while Zoey Buchan and Karleigh Creasey each scored 11. Olivia Miron and Mari Ryberg each added nine points. Buchan was the team's top rebounder with seven boards, while Olivia Hoerl totaled a career-best three steals. Lauryn Milne led UW-La Crosse with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while going 7-8 free-throw line.
Up next, UW-River Falls will return to Page Arena on Jan. 25 to host No. 4 UW-Oshkosh. The game will also be a celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, with both women's basketball and women's hockey competing at the Falcon Center on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased here.
