By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team fell to No. 4 UW-Whitewater Saturday night, 57-39. It was a matchup between the two teams at the top of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings.
Neither offense was able to find their groove in the first quarter, with Whitewater taking an 11-8 advantage. Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) had six of Eau Claire's eight points, knocking down two three-pointers.
The Blugolds outplayed the Warhawks in the second period, scoring 13 to their 12. Free throws from Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) helped UWEC cut the lead to 23-21 heading into halftime.
A cold shooting second half restricted the Blugolds from regaining the lead. Whitewater went into the fourth quarter up 43-31 and closed out the game in the final period by scoring 14 points. Eau Claire was still able to hold the Warhawks to just 33% in the fourth quarter.
The Blugolds had a great defensive showing, forcing ten turnovers and holding Whitewater to 2-19 from three-point.
Hoeppner finished the game as the leading scorer for UWEC with 10 points, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) was also a force on the boards, collecting seven boards.
The defeat moves Eau Claire to 15-8 overall and 9-3 in the WIAC. They have two more games remaining in the 2019-20 regular season, with their next matchup against UW-Platteville on Wednesday, February19th. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
