Wednesday night brought a whirlwind of action to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), with several women’s and men’s basketball teams battling for crucial midseason wins. From Eau Claire to Stevens Point, the hardwood was alive with energy, drama, and standout performances as teams jockeyed for position in the competitive league. Let’s dive into the night that was, where three-point barrages, defensive grit, and breakout stars took center stage.
At the Sonnentag Event Center in Eau Claire, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s basketball team faced off against UW-River Falls in a matchup that promised intensity—and delivered, at least for a quarter. The Blugolds and Falcons went toe-to-toe in the opening period, trading baskets and defensive stops until the scoreboard read 17-17 at the buzzer. UW-River Falls struck first with a three-pointer at the 8:35 mark, but Eau Claire answered back, with Reanna Hutchinson slicing through the lane and Karsyn Bauman tipping in a key bucket to keep the home team level. Both squads showcased their offensive strengths early: Eau Claire attacked the paint, while River Falls started to heat up from deep.
But basketball is a game of runs, and the second quarter belonged wholly to the Falcons. Outscoring the Blugolds 17-4, UW-River Falls seized control with a devastating combination of perimeter shooting and opportunistic defense. The Falcons opened with a layup at 8:50, then padded their lead with free throws and a dagger three-pointer in the final minute before halftime. Eau Claire, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm, managing just four points in the period. Despite forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 19 points over the contest, the Blugolds simply couldn’t keep pace with River Falls’ long-range assault.
UW-River Falls would finish the night with a remarkable 13 three-pointers, shooting 13-for-27 from beyond the arc. The Blugolds, by contrast, managed just 2-for-15 from deep, a disparity that proved insurmountable. “We did a good job forcing turnovers, but you have to make shots to stay in the game,” said a Blugolds staff member, echoing the frustration of the home crowd.
Trailing by double digits entering the third, Eau Claire tried to claw back behind Hutchinson’s inspired play. The sophomore guard lit up the scoreboard with a jumper assisted by Britta DeMar at 9:44, then followed up with a fast-break layup off a steal. Olivia Witkowski added a layup to cut into the deficit, but every surge was met by another River Falls triple. By the end of the third, the Falcons had extended their lead to 55-37, effectively quelling any hopes of a dramatic comeback.
The final quarter saw more of the same: River Falls kept their foot on the gas, converting free throws and capitalizing on Blugold turnovers. Hutchinson, who finished with 18 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting and added three steals, continued to battle. Bauman chipped in with two steals and five rebounds, while Emma Donovan contributed four points, six rebounds, and two steals. Witkowski rounded out the effort with eight points and a team-high nine rebounds. Still, the Blugolds’ shooting woes persisted—they ended the night 20-of-65 from the field, their struggles from the perimeter sealing their fate as the Falcons cruised to a 71-52 victory.
Looking ahead, the Blugolds will have a chance to regroup as they prepare to face UW-La Crosse on Saturday, January 17, at 3 p.m. at Mitchell Hall Gymnasium in La Crosse. With the season heating up, every game becomes a must-win for teams hoping to climb the WIAC standings.
Elsewhere in the conference, the UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team hosted UW-La Crosse at Kachel Gym in Whitewater. The Warhawks, boasting a strong 12-3 record entering the night, came out firing, shooting 44% from the field in the first quarter. But their hot hand cooled quickly. Over the next three quarters, Whitewater’s shooting percentage plummeted below 35%, while the Eagles of UW-La Crosse maintained a blistering pace, hitting half of their shots in each stanza. The result? A convincing 77-54 win for the Eagles, who move to 9-6 on the year and 2-2 in conference play. For Whitewater, it was a sobering reminder that consistency is king in the WIAC.
Meanwhile, in Stevens Point, the UW-Stevens Point women’s basketball team celebrated a milestone of their own. The Pointers notched their first WIAC win of the season in emphatic fashion, dismantling UW-Stout 79-50. The Pointers set the tone early, leading by six after the first quarter and holding a four-point cushion at the break. But it was the fourth quarter where Stevens Point truly separated themselves, outscoring Stout 28-9 and putting the game out of reach. Maija Rice led all scorers with 20 points, a performance that energized the home crowd and gave the Pointers a much-needed boost as they improved to 12-3 overall and 1-3 in the WIAC. Their next test comes at home against UW-Platteville on Saturday.
The men’s side of the conference also saw its share of drama. The UW-Stevens Point men squared off against UW-Stout in a game that flipped in the second half. The Pointers took a six-point lead into halftime, but Stout stormed back with a dominant run after the break, ultimately handing Stevens Point an 83-67 defeat. The loss drops the Pointers to 13-2 overall and 3-1 in the WIAC, underscoring just how unpredictable the conference can be from night to night.
WIAC fans were treated to a full slate of action, with UW-Eau Claire’s squads battling UW-River Falls and UW-Stout’s teams facing off against UW-Stevens Point. The conference remains as competitive and unpredictable as ever, with every matchup carrying postseason implications. As teams continue to jostle for position, the spotlight will only grow brighter—and the stakes higher.
With Saturday’s games on the horizon, including Eau Claire’s trip to La Crosse and Stevens Point’s home date with Platteville, the WIAC season is far from settled. If Wednesday’s results are any indication, fans can expect more fireworks, upsets, and breakout performances as the race to the top intensifies. One thing’s for sure: in the WIAC, every night is a new opportunity, and no lead is ever truly safe.
