DULUTH, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team traveled north on Saturday night, falling to the UW-Superior Yellowjackets by a score of 75-64.
The Blugold offense struggled to get going, shooting only 37.7 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from three as the Yellowjackets held the lead for a majority of the game.
Eau Claire looked ready to make a run to start the second quarter only down 16-15 as Elli Carver's (Fr – Andover, MN/Coon Rapids) jumper gave the Blugolds the lead. A Hallee Hoeppner (Jr. – Winona, MN) steal then led to a layup by Caryn Donahue (Jr. – Rockton, IL/Hononegah). However, the lead was short-lived as a Superior three pointer tied the score again. The Yellowjackets would slowly build a lead that they would never relinquish.
Three Blugolds finished in double-figures, with Hoeppner pacing UWEC with 20 while Kelsey Bakken (Jr. – Marshall, WI) and Katie Essen (So. – Farmington, MN/Rosemount) tallied 15 and 14, respectively. Bakken would finish the night with a double-double after pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Eau Claire's defense forced 16 turnovers which included seven steals, three of which came from Maddie Dunathan (Sr. – Hortonville, WI).
The Blugolds (4-2) will be back in action next Saturday as they travel to Iowa to take on Wartburg College. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.
