By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker in the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver's) to UW-Oshkosh Saturday night, 52-50. It was their first appearance in the Championship Game since the 2009 season.
Box Score | Hoepner Photos | Miller Photos
Oshkosh began the game on a 7-0 run, but the Blugolds fought back, as the score at the end of the first quarter was 14-12. Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) led the way with a pair of buckets in the period, while Kelsey Bakken (Sr.-Marshall, WI) hit a three-pointer.
The two-point lead from the Titans held into halftime, as they went into halftime up 24-22. Eau Claire still held Oshkosh to 25 percent shooting in the quarter.
After the cold shooting in the second quarter, both teams got things going in the third. They both hit 50 percent of their field goals, with UWEC going 8-16. Down 40-37 with under a minute remaining in the quarter, Hoeppner scored a layup and hit a free throw, sending the two into the fourth tied.
Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) was the top scorer in the third for Eau Claire, notching eight points. Hoeppner also added five points and grabbed three rebounds.
It was a tense fourth quarter the entire way, with both teams playing incredibly hard. Oshkosh scored the first six points of the period, but Eau Claire cut the lead back down to one midway through.
With a minute left, Oshkosh held a 52-48 lead before a steal and layup from Hoeppner. After a steal from Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) on defense, Eau Claire had one last offensive opportunity. They got a three-pointer off as time expired, but it missed by a few inches.
A trio of seniors were the top scorers for Eau Claire, as Graaskamp led with 14, Hoeppner added 13, and Bakken had 10. Bakken would also lead the Blugolds with nine boards, coming just short of a double-double.
With the loss, Eau Claire must wait to see if they can get an at-large bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament. The Selection Show will be this Monday, March 2nd. The Blugolds currently sit at 18-10 overall.
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