By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team went on the road and defeated River Falls Wednesday night, 66-48.
A jump shot from Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) began the night, but it was the Falcons who finished the first quarter with the lead, 15-13. Hoeppner added one more bucket in the quarter, while Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) also had four points.
Eau Claire retook the lead midway through the second period, off a basket from Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial). They would take that lead into the halftime break, leading 29-25.
The Blugolds had a good shooting second half, beginning by shooting 47 percent in the third. Graaskamp had nine in the quarter, helping UWEC extend their lead to double-digits, 46-36 by the start of the final period.
Graaskamp continued her hot shooting into the fourth, while Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) had nine, as the Blugolds sealed the victory. UWEC scored 20 points in the final quarter, while also dominating the Falcons on the glass, gaining a 10-1 rebounding advantage.
Eau Claire shot 45 percent on the night, while holding UWRF to under 40 percent. They also forced 17 Falcon turnovers.
Graaskamp led all scorers with 21 points, while grabbing six rebounds and collecting two blocks. Ruden also had 16 points, while Hoeppner finished with nine points and six boards.
The Blugolds are now 15-7 overall and 9-2 in the conference. They return to Zorn Arena over the weekend, facing off against UW-Whitewater Saturday at 5 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
