UW-L Snaps Losing Streak to UW-Stout; Wins Fifth Straight Overall

For Immediate Release: Saturday, February 16, 2008

La Crosse, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women’s basketball team snapped a 26-game losing streak to UW-Stout with a 60-57 victory over the Blue Devils Saturday afternoon in Mitchell Hall. The Eagles picked up their fifth straight win overall and improved to 14-10 overall and 9-6 in the WIAC with the win while the Blue Devils fall to 15-8 overall and 9-5 in the conference.

It is UW-L's first win over UW-Stout since a 86-67 victory January 27, 1996. It was also head coach Lois Heeren's 100th career win at UW-L. She is the winningest coach in school history.

UW-Stout led 17-10 with 12:58 remaining in the first half before UW-L went on a 9-0 run to lead 19-17. The Blue Devils later led 31-26 before the Eagles ended the half on another 9-0 run to take a 35-31 halftime lead.

The Blue Devils opened the second half on a 12-0 run to lead 43-35 with 14:15 left. UW-Stout led 53-45 with 8:31 remaining before UW-L scored 11 of the game's next 13 points to take a 56-55 lead with 3:37 left as Dana Churchill hit a pair of free throws. Julia Hirsigg gave UW-Stout a one-point lead on a jumper with 1:28 remaining. It was the Blue Devils first field goal since 5:34 left in the game.

Mackenzie Hunter came back for UW-L to give the Eagles a 58-57 lead with a jumper with 1:16 left. Churchill hit a pair of free throws with :11 remaining for a 60-57 lead and after UW-Stout called a timeout with :06 remaining, the Blue Devils could not get off a three-point attempt to force a tie.

Lindsay Wahl led UW-L with 18 points while Hunter finished with 12. Churchill added nine points and five rebounds while Ashley Wagner totaled seven points and a team-high six rebounds. Wahl, Hunter, Churchill and Wagner each had three steals in the contest.

UW-L shot 38.3% from the field, including 16.7% (one-of-six) from three-point range. The Eagles were 13-of-18 (72.2%) at the free throw line.

Hirssig led UW-Stout with 26 points and 11 rebounds. She was 13-of-14 from the field.

UW-Stout shot 48.1% from the field, including 25.0% (three-of-12) from three-point range. The Blue Devils were two-of-seven (28.6%) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, February 20 hosting UW-Stevens Point at 7 p.m.