By Bryce Meade, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Led by a career-high 29 points from Hallee Hoeppner (Jr. – Winona, MN), the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team exploded offensively in an 88-69 victory over St. Scholastica on Saturday evening at Zorn Arena.
After being outscored 23-22 in the first quarter, the Blugolds went on a quick run to grab the lead, and never gave it back. Hoeppner scored 17 of her 29 points in the first half to help the Blugolds take a 47-41 lead at the break.
Three quick baskets to open the third quarter extended the lead to 12. A strong third quarter, in which the Blugolds outscored the Saints 22-10, put the game out of reach. Eau Claire led by as many as 27 points late in the second half, en route to a blowout victory.
Hoeppner's 29 points led the Blugolds, as she shot 9-16 from the field, including 3-4 from the three-point line. After recording double-digit points and nine rebounds in back-to-back games, Hoeppner finally broke through for 11 rebounds and her first double-double of the season. Maddie Dunathan (Sr. – Hortonville, WI) assisted on four of Hoeppner's shots and recorded a career-high 13 assists in total. Brooke Harris (Jr. – Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) also recorded a career-high 18 points on 9-14 shooting and Caryn Donahue (Jr – Rockton, IL/Hononegah) added 12 points on 4-7 shooting from three. Kelsey Bakken (Jr. – Marshall, WI) racked up 12 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Dunathan's five steals contributed to the Blugolds' 26 total turnovers forced and 25 points off turnovers. The Blugolds shot 50.8 percent on the evening, including 8-17 (47.1 percent) from long distance.
Eau Claire (3-0) will be back in action next Saturday, November 24 when the travel west to take on Minnesota-Morris (0-2) at 2 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.