EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team fell in their season-opener on Tuesday, falling to St. Catherine University 53-39.
The Blugolds came out strong to start the game and a Bree Meier (Sr. - Lakeville, MN/South) three with just under a minute left in first quarter gave the home squad a 12-7 lead. Eau Claire used their depth as 10 Blugolds logged minutes in the opening frame.
Turnovers cost the Blugolds in the second quarter and the Wildcats took advantage, taking a 17-12 lead before the Blugolds surged back, sparked by a three-point play by Arien Brennan (Sr. – Hayward, WI) to give Eau Claire a 18-17 advantage with 1:29 left before half. Meier would hit another three with 34 seconds left to give Eau Claire a 21-19 lead headed into the locker room.
It was the tale of two halves, however, as the Wildcats had the momentum coming out of the break, taking a 39-28 lead heading into fourth quarter and took advantage of Blugold miscues down the stretch to earn the 53-39 win.
Anna Graaskamp (Fr. – Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) had a strong second half in her Blugold debut, scoring all of her team-high eight points in the half. Graaskamp also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. St. Kate's Mari Lee led all scorers with 18 points.
Eau Claire (0-1) will look to bounce back on Friday at their Tip-Off Classic. The Blugolds will take on Simpson College at approximately 8 p.m., following the 6 p.m. match-up between UW-Whitewater and St. Olaf.
Follow all the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
