Blugolds just deeper than Stout

UW-Eau Claire has a 34-22 halftime lead here at Johnson Fieldhouse, an advantage it built on the strength of a 22-4 run midway through the first half. The lead was as much as 15 at one point, but the Blue Devils were able to get to the hoop with some consistency over the last few minutes to stay close.

Some initial first-half observations:

*A big reason why UW-Eau Claire was picked to win the WIAC was because of its depth. Whereas the Blue Devils' starting five matches up well with the Blugolds' starting five, UW-Eau Claire definitely has the advantage on the bench. Case in point, 6-foot-2 center Ashley Anderson. Although she's only averaged 6.2 minutes per game in UW-Eau Claire's first five five contests, she's already given the Blugolds several quality minutes in the first half and has four points and one block to show for her efforts. The Blugolds can also use Missy Fremstad to spell point guard Heather Witt and not lose much intensity.

*UW-Stout needs better shot selection. The Blue Devils are shooting 26 percent from the floor, including 3-of-14 on 3-pointers. Since making 2-of-5 in the first three minutes of the game, they are 1-for-9. Unless those shots magically start falling, Stout would be best advised to make the extra pass or attack the basket.

*The Blue Devils' Charlee Edwards is a fun player to watch. She reminds me a lot of Marquette's Jerel McNeal in that she's all over the court on defense, yet can make some mistakes by being too aggressive on offense. She already has five steals, but she also has four turnovers — several on traveling violations when she's trying to make a fake. Coach Mark Thomas has pulled her off the court after a few of these turnovers, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's on the floor more in the second half as Stout tries to make a comeback.

*The Blugolds' MVP so far? Heather Witt. The point guard has a game-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, inclduing 2-for-3 on 3-pointers. She also has four steals. While the Blue Devils are collapsing on Michelle Burns and company in the post, Witt is taking advantage of open lanes and open jumpers. Look for the Blue Devils to make a small adjustment to try to take Witt out of the game.

*It's a sloppy game to a point. Both teams have 16 turnovers in the first half alone, which is way too many for either coaches' liking.

- John Casper Jr.