EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The win streak continues for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team after the Blugolds defeated Saint Mary's University 71-57 Saturday at Zorn Arena.
Eau Claire grabbed an early lead for the second straight night as the Blugolds went on a 10-0 run to start the game, capped by a Hallee Hoeppner (So. – Winona, MN) three-pointer. The Blugolds would slowly add to the lead and took a 33-21 advantage into halftime.
A three by Maddie Dunathan (Jr. –Hortonville, WI) would start another run as the Blugolds had their largest lead of the game in the third quarter as they led by 20 points with 6:51 to go in the quarter. Saint Mary's would chip away at the lead but the home squad still led 57-42 going into the final frame.
Things would get interesting in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals staged a late comeback and outscoring Eau Claire 15-14, but it would not be enough as the Blugolds would win their fifth straight, 71-57.
Anna Graaskamp (So. – Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) led Eau Claire with 18 points and also tallied six rebounds and three blocks. Kelsey Bakken (So. – Marshall, WI) and Hoeppner also finished in double figures with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Brooke Harris (So. – Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) tallied a team-high nine rebounds while Dunathan dished out a game-high nine assists.
The Blugolds shot 42.9 percent (24-56) from the field and 50 percent (9-18) from three while knocking down 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) from the free throw line.
The Cardinals were held to 34.8 percent (16-46) from the field, 35.3 percent (6-17) from behind the arc and shot 65.5 percent (19-29) from the charity stripe.
The Blugolds (5-0) will be back in action Wednesday as they travel to St. Joseph, Minn. to take on the Saint Benedict Blazers at 7 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
