By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball lost to No. 4 Wartburg (Iowa) Saturday night, 69-54.
The first quarter was back-and-forth, with neither able to take the upper hand. Wartburg was able to lead 22-18, as they hit a three just before time expired. Maizie Diehl (Jr.-New Prague, MN) led all scorers with 12 at the end of the first, hitting two three-pointers.
The Blugolds took the lead shortly into the second and maintained it for most of the quarter. A late run from Wartburg gave them a 35-31 lead heading into halftime.
Neither team was able to take control for much of the third quarter until the last few minutes A layup from Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) tied things at 41, and they would remain tied until the four-minute mark of the quarter. The Knights would leave the period up ten.
Even though Eau Claire held Wartburg to just 12 points in the final quarter, they were not able to complete the comeback. Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) hit a big three, but the rest of the Blugold offense stalled.
Leading the Blugolds in scoring was Diehl, who would finish the game with 17 points, going from 3-6 from beyond three-point. Ruden also added nine, while Katie Essen (Jr.-Rosemount, MN) added eight. Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) finished with ten rebounds, while also helping out Eau Claire's defense with two steals.
Now 1-3, next up for the Blugolds is going to be Carleton (Minn.) on the road next Wednesday. The game will tip off at 7 PM. Follow the Blugolds on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
