By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team lost to No. 21 UW-La Crosse Saturday afternoon, 60-39.
La Crosse struck first and would finish off the first quarter with an 18-11 lead. Kelsey Bakken (Sr.-Marshall, WI) was the leading scorer in the period for the Blugolds, with six points off 3-7 shooting.
Both teams scored 10 points in the second period, giving the Eagles a seven-point lead going into the halftime break. Even though they scored just one field goal during the quarter, Eau Claire got their points at the free throw line, going 7-10 from the stripe.
The Blugolds had a cold shooting third quarter, and La Crosse extended their lead to 19. Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) scored five of UWEC's seven in the quarter.
A strong defensive performance in the final period wasn't enough to lead the Eau Claire comeback. They held the Eagles to 33% during the quarter, but the offense continued to struggle.
Essen finished off as the leading scorer for the Blugolds, ending the game with 11 points on 4-7 shooting. Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) finished right behind her, with eight points. Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) led all Blugolds with ten boards.
The loss dropped Eau Claire to 10-7 overall and 5-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They will finish their January slate of games on the 29th against UW-Stout on the road. The game will tip off at 6 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.