Kelsey Hendrickson (Monroe/Monroe)'s three pointer with 4:11 left in the game, which put UW-W up 53-49, were the last points UW-Whitewater would score in a 57-53 loss to UW-Eau Claire at Zorn Arena in Eau Claire Saturday afternoon.

box score

UW-Whitewater forged an eight point lead, 19-11, after a three point basket by Heidi Sonntag (Milwaukee/Wisconsin Lutheran) with 6:48 left in the first half.  Eau Claire came back to score seven straight points and it was a 24-21 halftime lead for UW-W despite the Warhawks shooting 24% from the floor.  The equaler was turnovers, where UW-W had five and forced 16 by the Blugolds.

Although UW-W did not trail in the second half until the 0:59 left, the game was tied twice and the Warhawks were never able to build more than a four point margin.  

With 3:24 left in the game Ellen Plendl made a free throw to cut Whitewater's lead to 53-50.  Hannah Mesick made a layup to shave two more points off, making it 53-52 at 3:01.  Mesick came through again, hitting the tying free throw at 1:46.  Then it was Plendl's turn, going 2-2 at the line after grabbing a defensive rebound to put EC in front 55-53 with 0:59.  Whitewater missed a three, grabbed the offensive rebound and missed again from three before Jodi Lindner made the first of two free throws with 0:16 left to end the scoring.  UW-W rebounded Lindner's second shot, but missed two three pointers in the last possession.  

UW-W broke the school three point field goal record for attempts in a game, shooting 39.  The old mark of 34 was set versus UW-Superior February 21, 1988.  The Warhawks shot 27% from the floor, and Eau Claire out-rebounded UW-W 50-27.  Whitewater caused 29 EC turnovers and had just 12, its second lowest total of the season.

Hendrickson led UW-W with 15 points and six rebounds, also dishing out a game high six assists.  Hendrickson went 7-8 from the line.  Nicole Bundy (Fredonia/Ozaukee) was the only other Warhawk in double figures, scoring ten and sharing the rebound lead with six rebounds.

Mesick, a junior center, and Plendl, a sophomore center, formed a formidable inside presence.  Mesick scored 24 and pulled down 10 rebounds, and Plendl doubled up on the double double, with 14 points and a game high 13 boards. 

UW-W, ranked fifteenth in the D3hoops.com poll, is 12-4 overall and 5-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  UW-EC, which has beaten Whitewater fifteen consecutive games in Zorn Arena, is 6-10 overall and also 5-2 in the league.  UW-River Falls went into their game Saturday against UW-Platteville at 5-2, forming a logjam at the top of the standings.

UW-Whitewater will host UW-Platteville Wednesday at 7:00 in Kachel Gym in Williams Center.

For additional information:  Keri Carollo, UW-W head coach