Blugolds suffer loss in WIAC
Basketball team still earns at-large bid to the NCAA
Nick Gourdoux
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Sports
In the previous two meetings between Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point, the Blugolds lost both times - 66-60 in Stevens Point on Jan. 21, and 64-57 in Zorn Arena on Feb. 11.
"What's important to me as a coach is that if you do take a loss in the regular season that you get better because of it and once you get into the post-season you're a better team," coach Tonja Englund said following Tuesday night's victory over UW-River Falls in the opening round of the WIAC championship tournament.In the second half of Saturday night's championship game against the Pointers, the Blugolds trailed by as many as 10 points, but almost came back. With 14 seconds left in the game, senior Pam Kaye made a three pointer to bring the Blugolds within a point of the WIAC Championship. Three Stevens Point free throws later and two missed Blugold three pointers, the game was over, with Eau Claire losing 46-42.
In Saturday's championship game senior Heather Witt and sophomore Hannah Mesick each scored a team-high of 10 points. Mesick once again led the team in rebounds, this time with eight.
The Eau Claire women's basketball team traveled to UW-Whitewater on Thursday to take on the fourth-ranked Warhawks in the semi-finals. After scoring more than three times as many points as the Warhawks in the first half, the Blugolds cruised to a 61-34 victory, catapulting the team into the championship round against UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. The Blugolds scored the first six points, and outscored the Warhawks 26-8 in the first half. In the second half, the Blugolds lead never dropped below 18 points and reached as high as 31 as the game neared its end.
Englund said she thought winning at Whitewater will be a big key for the team and that it's "something we need to do to get over the top."
Leading the Blugolds in scoring was senior Heidi Arciszewski with 14 points. Witt and freshman Ellen Plendl also scored in the double digits with 12 and 10 points respectively. Mesick led all players with 11 rebounds.
The Blugolds chances at a national title are not lost. Last year, the Blugolds began the WIAC championship with victories over River Falls and Stout but lost to the Pointers in the Championship game. Despite their shortcomings in the championship game, Eau Claire earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship tournament.
"I would be a strong advocate … for three teams (from the WIAC) getting in (to the NCAA championship tournament)," Englund said. "Stevens Point, Whitewater and ourselves are three of the best in the nation. All of us have played extremely strong and competitive schedules."
NCAA tournament selection show
When: Today, 10 a.m.
Where: NCAA.com
Who: Eau Claire Blugolds
Why: The Blugolds could be in the NCAA!
"What's important to me as a coach is that if you do take a loss in the regular season that you get better because of it and once you get into the post-season you're a better team," coach Tonja Englund said following Tuesday night's victory over UW-River Falls in the opening round of the WIAC championship tournament.In the second half of Saturday night's championship game against the Pointers, the Blugolds trailed by as many as 10 points, but almost came back. With 14 seconds left in the game, senior Pam Kaye made a three pointer to bring the Blugolds within a point of the WIAC Championship. Three Stevens Point free throws later and two missed Blugold three pointers, the game was over, with Eau Claire losing 46-42.
In Saturday's championship game senior Heather Witt and sophomore Hannah Mesick each scored a team-high of 10 points. Mesick once again led the team in rebounds, this time with eight.
The Eau Claire women's basketball team traveled to UW-Whitewater on Thursday to take on the fourth-ranked Warhawks in the semi-finals. After scoring more than three times as many points as the Warhawks in the first half, the Blugolds cruised to a 61-34 victory, catapulting the team into the championship round against UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. The Blugolds scored the first six points, and outscored the Warhawks 26-8 in the first half. In the second half, the Blugolds lead never dropped below 18 points and reached as high as 31 as the game neared its end.
Englund said she thought winning at Whitewater will be a big key for the team and that it's "something we need to do to get over the top."
Leading the Blugolds in scoring was senior Heidi Arciszewski with 14 points. Witt and freshman Ellen Plendl also scored in the double digits with 12 and 10 points respectively. Mesick led all players with 11 rebounds.
The Blugolds chances at a national title are not lost. Last year, the Blugolds began the WIAC championship with victories over River Falls and Stout but lost to the Pointers in the Championship game. Despite their shortcomings in the championship game, Eau Claire earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship tournament.
"I would be a strong advocate … for three teams (from the WIAC) getting in (to the NCAA championship tournament)," Englund said. "Stevens Point, Whitewater and ourselves are three of the best in the nation. All of us have played extremely strong and competitive schedules."
NCAA tournament selection show
When: Today, 10 a.m.
Where: NCAA.com
Who: Eau Claire Blugolds
Why: The Blugolds could be in the NCAA!
Be the first to comment on this story