Senior forward Krista Rode led Carroll with 16 points and seven rebounds while sophomore guard Crystal Hoewisch chipped in with 14 points. Senior center Melanie Foreman added 10 points.
Eau Claire’s Michelle Burns led all scorers with 24 points but the Bluegold’s bench proved to be the difference, as the next highest scoring total for a starter was five points. Heidi Arciszewski and Brittanni Hakanson came off the bench for UWEC to score 16 and 14 points, respectively.
The Lady Pioneers shot 41.4% from the field and held a 38-37 edge in rebounding. Both teams turned the ball over frequently, with Carroll committing 19 turnovers to Eau Claire’s 18.
Carroll will now enjoy a 2-week rest before returning to action Dec. 29-20 when they compete in the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.