EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team shot over 50 percent from beyond the arc on Wednesday night to defeat UW-Platteville, 76-64.
Despite a slow start in the first quarter, the Blugold offense would heat up in the second, connecting on seven of 10 three-point attempts to give Eau Claire a 38-30 advantage at the half.
The Blugolds continued their hot shooting in the third quarter, going 4-for-7 (57.1 percent) from three and 7-for-14 (50 percent) from the floor and at one point had a 19-point lead – their largest of the night.
The Pioneers fought back in the fourth quarter and outscored the Blugolds 19-18 in the quarter, but it would not be enough as Eau Claire picked up their 13th win of the season.
Maddie Dunathan (Sr. – Hortonville, WI) and Hallee Hoeppner (Jr. – Winona, MN) led the Blugolds, playing all 40 minutes and led the team with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Dunathan also led the squad with six assists to go along with five rebounds and two steals while Hoeppner pulled down 10 rebounds to earn the double-double.
Kelsey Bakken (Jr. – Marshall, WI) and Caryn Donahue (Jr. – Rockton, IL/Hononegah) also finished in double figures, tallying 14 and 12 points, respectively.
For the game, Eau Claire shot 52 percent (13-for-25) from three and 47.4 percent (27-for-57) from the field and hit nine of 10 from the free throw line.
The Blugolds (13-3, 4-1 WIAC) will be back in Zorn Saturday as they host UW-Stout at 5 p.m. for the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.