Falcon Sports Archive

Falcons Come Back, Tip UW-Platteville In OT

Feb. 16, 2002

The UW-River Falls women's basketball team erased a double-digit second-half deficit and tipped UW-Platteville 66-62 in overtime Saturday in a WIAC contest at the Karges Center.

The Falcons (11-14, 5-11), who lost to the Pioneers 60-36 Jan. 16, trailed 29-20 at intermission, but outscored UW-P (13-12, 8-8) 35-26 in the second half and 11-7 in the extra session.

Senior Melissa McKernon paced UW-RF with 15 points. Freshman Darcy Olsen, who played 41 minuts, added 11 points, while freshmen Erin Effle and Amber Sickels pitched in eight points each. Junior Nicole Harberts snagged eight rebounds and Olsen dished out eight assists.

Crystal Stietz led the Pioneers with a game-high 24 points.

UW-RF hit 25-of-56 (.446) field goals, 6-of-17 (.353) treys and 10-of-17 (.588) charity shots. The Pioneers netted 18-of-48 (.375) shots from the field, 5-of-21 (.238) triples and 21-of28 (.750) freebies. Both squads pulled down 35 caroms. The Pioneers committed 27 turnovers, while the Falcons turned the ball over 22 times.

The Falcons will return to action Tuesday, when they hit the road for a WIAC Tournament first-round game. It appears as if the Falcons will likely draw UW-Oshkosh.

Falcon Women Drop WIAC Decision To UWSP

Feb. 13, 2002

The UW-River Falls women's basketball team fell 78-55 to UW-Stevens Point Wednesday evening in a WIAC tilt at the Karges Center.

UWRF fell to 10-14 overall and 4-11 in the WIAC, while the Pointers improved to 22-2 on the year and 13-2 in league play.

UWSP led 36-25 at intermission.

Freshman Erin Effle, who made 7-of-9 freebies, paced the Falcons with 14 points. Senior Sarah Pollock added nine points. Effle snagged a game-high eight rebounds and freshman Darcy Olsen dished out three assists.

Kari Groshek paced the Pointers with 19 points and five boards. Tara Schmitt pitched in 13 points and Carry Boehning contributed 10 points, eight in the first half.

UWRF made 13-of-49 (.265) shots from the floor, 2-of-13 (.154) treys and 27-of-32 (.844) freebies. UW-SP canned 26-of-45 (.578) field goals, 4-of-13 (.308) triples and 22-of-29 (.759) charity shots.

The Pointers outrebounded the Falcons 33-30 and committed 21 turnovers to UWRF's 24.

UWRF will return to action Saturday, when it hosts UW-Platteville in a WIAC matchup slated to begin at 3 p.m.

Falcons Lose at UWEC

Feb. 9, 2002

The Falcon women's basketball team dropped a 68-55 decision at UW-Eau Claire Saturday night.

UWEC held a 33-32 lead at the half. Lisa Bartsch led the Falcons scoring 13 points off the bench. She also led the team with six rebounds. Erin Effle and Nicole Harberts scored 10 points each. The Falcons were 22-49 (.449) from the field, including 3-9 (.333) from three-point range. UWRF was 8-11 (.727) from the line.

UWEC was led by Katie Murphy who scored 16 points. UWEC was 25-50 (.500) from the field, including 5-11 (.455) from three-point range. UWEC was 13-20 (.650) from the line. UWEC held a 34-24 advantage in rebounding.

The Falcons, now 10-13 overall and 4-10 in the WIAC, will host UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday at the Karges Center. Action starts at 7 p.m.

Falcons Women Cagers Test UW-Stout, But Falter in Final Moments To Fall, 72-65

Feb. 6, 2002

Despite a valiant team effort, the UW-River Falls women's basketball team (10-12, 4-9) dropped a 72-65 decision to WIAC-leading UW-Stout (18-4, 13-1) Wednesday evening at the Karges Center.

The Falcons, who led 35-27 at intermission,jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the opening five minutes, but the Blue Devils used an 11-0 run to regain the lead less than three minutes later. The contest proved to be a barn-burner from there on out.

Senior Melissa McKernon paced the Falcons with 20 points. Freshman Darcy Olsen added 15 points and senior Tara Wakefield pitched in 13 points. Freshman Amber Sickels pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, Wakefield distributed five assists and McKernon collected five steals.

Sophomore Laura Verdegan led the Blue Devils with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Stout's victory marked the first time in the teams' last five meetings that the visiting club has collected a win.

The Blue Devils tipped the Falcons 63-57 Jan. 2 in Menomonie; UW-RF downed Stout 78-66 Feb. 19, 2001, in a WIAC quarterfinal game in Karges; Stout routed UW-RF 101-77 Feb. 7, 2001, at Johnson Fieldhouse; and the Falcons defeated the Blue Devils 90-76 Jan. 3, 2001, in River Falls.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, when they travel to UW-Eau Claire to battle the Blugolds in a WIAC tilt.

Falcons Win at UWLC, 61-51

Feb. 2, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team won a 61-51 WIAC decision at UW-La Crosse Friday evening.

Erin Effle led tthe Falcons wtih 21 points. She had nine rebounds and three blocks. Nikki Harberts added 10 points and four rebounds. Melissa McKernon added 10 points, four rebounds and a team-high five assists. Lisa Bartsch led the Falcons with 11 rebounds and she scored two points. UWRF shot 24-57 (.421) for the game, including 6-16 (.375) from three point range. UWRF was 7-14 (.500) from the line.

UWLC was led by Amanda Cushman who scored 14 points. Karen Berg led the Eagles with 11 rebounds. UWLC, now 6-14 overall and 2-10 in the WIAC, was 19-52 (.365) from the field, inlcuding 5-19 (.263) from three-point range. UWLC was 8-14 (.571) from the line.

UWRF, now 10-11 overall and 4-8 in the WIAC, will host UW-Stout on Wednesday at the Karges Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

Falcon Women Snap Skid, Silence Superior, 74-61

Jan. 30, 2002

UW-River Falls' women's basketball team defeated WIAC foe UW-Superior 74-61 Wednesday evening at the Karges Center to garner its first win in 25 days and snap a five-game losing skid.

The Falcons (9-11, 3-8) led the Yellowjackets (2-17, 0-12) 38-27 at intermission.

Freshman Erin Effle paced UW-RF with a game-high 23 points. Senior Melissa McKernon added 17, sophomore Nicole Harberts pitched in nine and freshman Darcy Olsen contributed eight.

Harberts pulled down a team-high 12 boards, senior Tara Wakefield dished out five assists and sophomore Lisa Bartsch collected three steals.

Senior Lacey Catanzarite and freshman Lindsey Anderson led UW-S with 17 points each. Junior Jolene Gudmunson added 15.

The Falcons hit 25-of-66 (.379) field goals, 7-of-21 (.333) from beyond the arc, while the Yellowjackets canned 20-of-64 (.313) shots from the floor, including 4-of-12 (.333) treys.

UW-S made 17-of-24 (.708) freebies, while the Falcons bottomed 17-of-31 (.548) charity shots.

The Yellowjackets held a 52-43 edge in rebounds.

UW-RF will return to action Saturday, when it travels to UW-La Crosse to batttle the Eagles in a league affair. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.

Falcons Lose, 83-74, at UW-Whitewater

Jan. 26, 2002

Melissa McKernon scored 18 points but it wasn't enough as the Falcon women's basketball team lost an 83-74 WIAC decision at UW-Whitewater Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons held a 44-32 lead at the half, but were outscored, 51-30, in the second half.

Nicole Harberts scored 15 points, Erin Effle 14 and Darcy Olsen 13 for the Falcons. Effle led the team with six rebounds and Olsen led with six assists. The Falcons were 27-56 (.482) from the field, including 7-18 (.389) from three-point range. UWRF was 13-18 (.722) from the line.

UWW was led by Wendy Gagnon who scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Katie Rechlicz added 18 points. UWW was 26-52 (.500) from the field, including 8-13 (.615) from three-point range. The Warhawks were 23-28 (.821) from the line. UWW held a 34-28 advantage in rebounding.

The Falcons, now 8-11 overall and 2-8 in the WIAC, host UW-Superior on Wednesday at the Karges Center. Action starts at 7 p.m.

Falcons Lose at Oshkosh, 74-41

Jan. 19, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team dropped a 74-41 WIAC decision at UW-Oshkosh Saturday afternoon.

Oshkosh led 27-15 at the half and outscored the Falcons 47-26 in the second half.

Darcy Olsen led the Falcons with 12 points. Amber Sickels, who scored five points, led the Falcons with nine rebounds. UWRF shot 15-59 (.254) from the field, including 3-18 (.167) from three-point range. UWRF was 8-18 (.444) from the line. UWRF had a 44-37 advantage in rebounding.

UWO had five players scored in double figures led by Kay Mokolajczak and Melissa Schweitzer who scored 12 each. UWO was 27-58 (.466) form the field, including 6-22 (.273) from three-point range. Oshkosh, now 14-4 overall and 7-2 in the WIAC, was 14-19 (.737) from the line.

The Falcons, now 8-10 overall and 2-7 in the WIAC, travel to UW-Whitewater on Jan. 26 for a 3 p.m. game.

Falcons Lose at Platteville

Jan. 16, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team was led in scoring by Erin Effle with 13 points, but it wasn't enough as UW-Platteville took a 60-36 win Wednesday night in Platteville.

UWP held a 33-17 lead at the half and outscored the Falcons 27-19 in the second half. Effle was 6-13 from the field and 1-2 from the line. Amber Sickels added seven points. Nicole Harberts led the Falcons with seven rebounds. The Falcons were 14-58 (.241) from the field, including 2-13 (.154) from three-point range. UWRF was 6-11 (.545) from the line.

UWP was led by Grace Foster who scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Crystal Stietz scored 17 points and Tiff Plesch added 11. UWP was 23-56 (.411) from the field, including 7-19 (.368) from three-point range. UWP, now 9-7 overall and 4-4 in the WIAC, was just 7-16 (.438) from the line. UWP held a 43-41 advantage in rebounding.

The Falcons, now 8-9 overall and 2-6 in the WIAC, travel to UW-Oshkosh on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game.

Falcons Lose to Eau Claire, 65-49

Jan. 12, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team stayed right with the Blugolds early, but the second half proved fatal as UW-EC outscored the Falcons 37-24 for the 65-49 final in the Karges Center Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons trailed only 28-25 at half-time. Erin Effle led the Falcon offensive effort with a 20-point game along with six rebounds. Melissa McKernon and Lisa Bartsch each added eight points. McKernon also accumulated four rebounds, four assists and a block. Bartsch came down with five rebounds. Darcy Olsen also helped the Falcons with seven points and three assists.

The duo of Janel Soppeland and Kristi Channing dominated the Blugold offense with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Soppeland also contributed nine rebounds and five assists. Channing had seven rebounds and a block. Both leaders had two steals.

The Falcons shot 39.6% from the floor and made all seven free throws. The Blugolds shot 43.4 field goal percentage, including 48% in the second half.

The Falcons, now 8-8 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC, travel to UW-Platteville on Wednesday for a WIAC game. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.

Falcons Lose at UWSP, 65-45

Jan. 9, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team dropped a 65-45 WIAC game at UW-Stevens Point Wednesday night.

UWSP jumped out to a 20-4 lead in the first 13:07 of the game and held a 28-19 lead at the half.

Melissa McKernon and Erin Effle each scored 10 points to lead the Falcons. McKernon led the team with eight rebounds. The Falcons were 19-57 (.333) form the field, including 2-12 (.167) from three-point range. UWRF was 5-10 (.500) from the line.

UWSP was led by Kari Groshek who scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. UWSP was 24-52 (.462) from the field, including 3-14 (.214) from three-point range. UWSP was 14-28 (.500) from the line. UWSP held a 43-35 advantage in rebounding.

The Falcons, now 8-7 overall and 2-4 in the WIAC, host UW-Eau Claire on Saturday at the Karges Center. Game time is 3 p.m.

Falcons Beat UW-La Crosse in OT

Jan. 5, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team beat UW-La Crosse in overtime, 68-64, Saturday at the Karges Center.

UWRF was down 30-26 at the half, but came back to tie the game at the end of the second half, 55-55. The Falcons outscored the Eagles 13-9 in the overtime.

Darcy Olsen led the Falcons with 22 points. Melissa McKernon had 16 and Sarah Pollock had 11. McKernon led the Falcons with 10 rebounds. UWRF was 20-58 (.345) from the field, including 8-22 (.364) from three-point range.

La Crosse, now 4-9 overall and 0-5 in the WIAC, was led by Brooke Croshier who scored 21 points. Coshier also led the Eagles with 13 rebounds. La Crosse was 25-72 (.347) from the field, including 2-16 (.125) from three-point range

The Falcons, now 8-6 overall and 2-3 in the WIAC, travel to UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

Falcons Drop WIAC Decision at Stout, 63-57

Jan. 2, 2002

The Falcons women's basketball team dropped a 63-57 WIAC decision at UW-Stout Wednesday night.

UWRF held a 26-25 lead at the half, but were outscored 38-31 in the second half.

Lisa Bartsch led the Falcons wtih 13 points. Sarah Pollock scored 12, Nicole Harberts 11 and Tara Wakefield 10. Harberts led the Falcons witih 11 rebounds. UWRF was 18-56 (.321) from the field, including just 2-11 (.182) from three-point range. The Falcons were outrebounded, 50-40.

Stout, now 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the WIAC, was led by Amy Zelinger who scored 13 and Sara Kahl who added 11. Erin Churchill led the Blue Devils with 12 rebounds. Stout was 19-66 (.288) from the field, including 5-22 (.227) from three-point range.

The Falcons, now 7-6 overall and 1-3 in the WIAC, host UW-La Crosse on Saturday in a WIAC contest at Karges Center. Tip off is set for 3 p.m.

Falcons Drop 63-56 Decision at Upper Iowa

Dec. 30, 2001

The Falcons women's basketball team lost a 63-56 decision at Upper Iowa Sunday afternoon.

UI led 32-22 at the half and the Falcons outscored their opponent by 34-31 in the second half, but it wasn't enough. Melissa McKernon led the Falcons with 15 points and she had 10 rebounds. Tara Wakefield also scored 15 points and she had four rebounds. Erin Effle led the Falcons wtih 11 rebounds, but she did not score. The Falcons shot under 30 percent for the second straight game. They finished 17-59 (.288) from the field. UWRF held a 42-36 advantage in rebounds. UI, now 7-2 overall, was led by Tynisha Downing who scored 18 points and Tara Heller who added 13. UI shot 19-48 (.396) from the field.

The Falcons, now 7-5 overall, will return to WIAC play on Wednesday when they travel to Stout. Game time is 7 p.m.

Falcons Lose at Luther, 62-35

Dec. 29, 2001

The Falcons women's basketball team dropped a 62-35 decision at Luther College Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons trailed 29-20 at halftime, but were outscored 33-15 in the second half. Sarah Pollock led the Falcons with eight points. Melissa McKernon scored six and Amber Sickels five. McKernon had seven rebounds and Erin Effle and Sickels had six each. The Falcons shot just 13-54 (.241) for the game, including 7-30 (.233) in the second half. Luther, now 5-4, was led by Amanda Smith who scored 17. Luther shot 23-44 (.523) from the field for the game.

The Falcons, now 7-4 overall, will play at Upper Iowa on Sunday, Game time is 1 p.m.

Falcons Beat Viterbo, 74-64

Dec. 12, 2001

The Falcons women's basketball team had five players score in double figures for a 74-64 win over Viterbo Saturday afternoon at the Karges Center.

Erin Effle led the wway with 16 points and she led the Falcons with 12 rebounds. Nicole Harberts added 15 points and nine rebounds. Lisa Bartsch scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Darcy Olsen chipped in 11 points and had four assists. Amber Sickels scored 10 points. The Falcons were 22-44 (.500) from the field, including 2-9 (.222) from three-point range. The Falcons were 28-37 (.757) from the line. The Falcons held a commanding 40-23 advantage in rebounding.

Viterbo, now 6-6, was led in scoring by Kara Brandau who scored 30. She also led her team with six rebounds.

The Falcons, now 7-3 overall, will next play at Luther on Dec. 29. Game time is 3 p.m.

Falcons Win at UWS, 69-53

Dec. 12, 2001

The Falcons women's basketball team got 20 points from freshman Erin Effle and won a WIAC game at UW-Superior Wednesday night, 69-53.

Effle also led the Falcons in rebounding with 11. Melissa McKernon and Darcy Olsen each scored 12 points. Nicole Harberts had eight rebounds and McKernon seven. The Falcons shot 27-68 from the field (.397) including 5-18 from three-point range (.278). UWRF led at halftime, 32-26. The Falcons had a 44-32 advantage in rebounds.

UWS was led by Lindsey Anderson who scored 13 points. Heidi McKay led the Jackets with 11 rebounds.

Saturday the Falcons host Viterbo College in a non-conference game at the Karges Center. Game time is 3 p.m.

Women's Cagers Drop 23rd In Row To UW-Oshkosh

Dec. 8, 2001

UW-River Falls fell 71-49 to UW-Oshkosh Saturday in a WIAC contest held at the Karges Center.

With the setback, their 23rd straight to the Titans dating back to 1989, the Falcons fell to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in the league. UW-O improved to 7-1, 3-0.

UW-RF led 15-13 midway through the first half, but trailed 32-26 heading into the break. The Titans netted three consecutive 3-pointers to commence the second half and pulled away from there.

Senior guard Kristin Steckmesser paced UW-O with a game-high 16 points, 14 of which she tallied after intermission, on 7-of-15 field goal shooting. Junior Melissa Schweitzer added 15 points, junior Brenda Utech 14 and junior Libby Sievert 13.

Freshman Darcy Olsen, who hit 3-of-5 3-point attempts, led Falcon scorers with 13 points. Freshman Erin Effle pitched in 12 points and senior Melissa McKernon netted 11.

Effle, who pulled down 11 caroms, tied for game-high rebounding honors with Titan sophomore Kay Mikolajczak. Olsen and junior Nicole Harberts dished out three assists each for UW-RF, while UW-O senior Jamie Turtenwald collected a game-high four dishes.

UW-O connected on 27-of-52 (.519) shots from the floor, while the Falcons hit 20-of-64 (.313). The Titans made 9-of-16 3-pointers and the Falcons netted 5-of-15. Neither team visited the charity stripe very often, as UW-O canned 8-of-10 attempts and the Falcons made 4-of-8 freebies.

The Falcons will return to action Wednesday, when they travel to UW-Superior to take on the Yellowjackets in a WIAC tilt.

Women Hoopsters Blast Northwestern, 63-38

Dec. 4, 2001

UW-River Falls pasted Northwestern (Minn.) 63-38 Tuesday evening in a non-conference contest at the Karges Center.

The Falcons improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Eagles dropped to 7-3.

UW-RF fell behind 2-0, but rattled off an 18-3 run to pull away for good.

Freshman Darcy Olsen paced the Falcons with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a 4-of-7 performance from 3-point territory. Senior Melissa McKernon, who nailed 6-of-10 shots and 3-of-5 3-pointers, added 17 points, and freshman Erin Effle pitched in 13.

Effle snared a game-high 13 rebounds, while freshman Amber Sickels and senior Tara Wakefield each dished out four assists.

Jesica DeMars led Northwestern with 11 points and nine rebounds.

UW-RF hit 25-of-60 field goal attempts and went 9-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Eagles bottomed 16-of-55 shots from the floor, and missed all 12 of its tries from 3-point land.

Each team committed 15 turnovers.

UW-RF will return to action Saturday, when it hosts UW-Oshkosh in a WIAC matchup at the Karges Center. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.

Falcons Win at Silver Lake, 55-35

Nov. 28, 2001

Led by Darcy Olsen's 15 points, the Falcons won at Silver Lake, 55-35, Tuesday night.

Olsen was 7-10 from the field, including 1-2 from three-point range for her 15 points. She also had four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Erin Effle finished 5-9 from the field for 10 points and she led the team with nine rebounds. Melissa McKernon and Nikki Harberts each scored eight points. The Falcons were 26-54 from the field, including 2-6 from three-point range. UWRF was 7-10 from the line. Jamie Wernecke led SL with 11 points. SL shot 14-50 from the field and 4-7 from the line. The Falcons held a 25-20 halftime lead and outscored SL 30-18 in the second half.

Saturday the Falcons, now 4-1 overall, open WIAC play hosting Whitewater at the Karges Center. Action starts at 3 p.m.

Falcon Women's Basketball Team Clobbers Bethel

Nov. 20, 2001

The UW-River Falls women's basketball team broke open a close contest by outscoring Bethel 45-18 in the second half en route to a 72-43 win Tuesday night at Arden Hills, Minn.

The Falcons led by just two points after the first 20 minutes of play, but shot 56.7 percent from the field in the second half to easily beat the Royals.

Senior foward Melissa McKernon led the way for the Falcons, scoring 23 points on 7-of- 14 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Tara Wakefield and Erin Effle each added 13 points while Effle led the team in rebounding with nine.

The Falcons shot 47.5 percent from the floor for the game while the Royals were held to just 35.6 percent shooting.

Laura Jacobs tallied nine points to lead the Royals.

The Falcons are now 2-1 and will face St. Scholastica on Sunday Nov. 25. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. at the Karges Center.

Falcon Women get 2nd Place in the University of Redlands Tourney

Nov. 17, 2001

The River Falls women flew to California and beat the University of Redland, 63-41 on Friday night. They came back to play in the champoinship game tonight vs. St. Benedict, but lost to them, 62-48 for 2nd place in the tournament.

In Friday's win, Melissa McKernon scored a game high 17 points, Nicole Harberts had 15 points, and Tara Wakefield had 13.

The Falcons led 25-15 after the first half. They continued to lead into the second to win the game.

Monique Allen scored 11 points for the University of Redland. Kelly Medlen had 6.

The Falcons 20-of-47 field goal attempts, 5-of-13 from 3-point land. University of Redlands hit only 12-of-43 field goal attempts, and 1-of-12 were from 3-point land.

During tonights championship game versus The College of St. Benedict, Erin Effle scored 17 points, Wakefield had a 11, and McKernon mad 10.

The Falcons were down after the first half 32 to 21. They stayedd down throughout the rest of the game to lose it 62-48.

St. Benedict's Leah Laurich had 16 points, Michelle Barlau had 11, and Kim Johnson came out with 10.

The Falcons made 22-of-52 attempted field goals, 8-of-23 were from 3-point land. St. Benedict made 20-of-58 with 7-of-20 attempted being 3-pointers.

These two games were the Falcons first regular season games. The Falcons record is now 1-1. The Falcons face Bethel on Tuesday night in Bethel at 7 p.m..