ELMHURST, Ill. - Lisa Logan scored a career-high 22 points and the Bluejays' defense forced 15 second-half turnovers, as the Elmhurst women's basketball team defeated UW-Platteville 76-69.

The Bluejays (5-4) trailed by eight points at halftime, but took 14 more shots than the Pioneers (2-6) in the second half. Elmhurst exploded for 30 fourth-quarter points, including 9-of-11 from the free-throw line to seal the victory.

The teams traded runs in the first six minutes of the game, which featured three ties and three lead changes. The Pioneers ended the quarter on a 13-5 run and took an eight-point lead after one quarter.

Elmhurst never led in the second quarter, but a 6-2 run capped by a Katie Swanson three-pointer pulled the Bluejays within three. UW-Platteville answered with a 6-0 run and led by eight, 41-33, at the half.
 

The Bluejays were outscored 26-8 in the paint in the first half. Logan highlighted Elmhurst's offense with 13 points on 5-7 shooting and 3-3 from downtown.

The teams struggled to find the basket early in the second half, but Elmhurst was able to score the first two buckets to pull themselves within four. The Bluejay defense stepped up in the quarter, allowing just eight points and forcing nine turnovers. In the first three minutes of the quarter, Elmhurst forced five turnovers and did not allow a Pioneer shot, pulling within three heading into the final period.

The Bluejays opened up the fourth quarter with a 6-2 run to take their first lead since the first quarter. Michaela Kumer's three-point play with 6:20 to go gave Elmhurst a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. After stretching out an eight-point lead with two minutes to go, the Bluejays relied on their free-throw shooting the rest of the way, hitting seven of their nine from the foul line down the stretch to seal the victory.
 

Logan led the Bluejays with 22 points, while Eppard and Claire Monroe both reached 13. The Bluejays finished the game 16-of-21 from the three-throw stripe and won the turnover battle 25-13. After being outscored in the paint 26-8 in the first half, Elmhurst bounced back with 24 points in the paint in the second half, while holding UW-Platteville to just eight.

Elisa Bilderback scored a game-high 23 points for the Pioneers, while Morgan Hortsman(13)also chipped in. UW-Platteville won the rebounding battle 45-30.

The Bluejays return to R.A. Faganel Hall Saturday, December 19 for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off against Franklin College.