By Emily Simonson, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team traveled to Platteville on Monday night for a rescheduled matchup with the Pioneers. The Blugolds lost with a final score of 66-81.
The Blugold women started slow, down 6-25 at the end of the first quarter. However, they went on a small run at the start of the second quarter to cut into the Pioneer lead. A three-point basket from Maddie Dunathan (Jr. – Hortonville, WI) followed by two consecutive three-pointers from Kelsey Bakken (So. – Marshall, WI) sparked the offense and cut the Platteville lead. After starting the game shooting just 16 percent from three-point range, the Blugolds closed out the first half shooting 60 percent from behind the arc. UW-Eau Claire outshot Platteville 27-23 in the second half to go into the locker room down 33-48.
The Blugolds were able to play neck-and-neck with the Pioneers in the second half of the game but couldn't overcome the first quarter scoring deficit, resulting in a loss for the UW-Eau Claire women.
Bakken ended the night with a career-high 27 points, after going 10-15 from the field and sinking four three-pointers. She also tallied five rebounds throughout the game. Dunathan recorded 14 points and had six assists as well.
The Blugolds (13-8, 4-6 WIAC) will travel to Menomonie this Wednesday, February 6, for a matchup against UW-Stout. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. Follow all of the action on Blugold Game Day or by downloading the 'UWEC Blugolds' app for your mobile device.