By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
DAYTONA, Fla. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team won their second straight game in the Land of Magic Classic Sunday afternoon, taking down Salve Regina (R.I.) 83-24.
The Blugold offense had another great day, scoring at least 16 points in each quarter. In the first, Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) scored the first two points of the afternoon, starting a 25-2 run from Eau Claire. The Blugolds would shoot 60 percent (9-15) from the field in the first period, as Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) and Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) were the leading scorers, with six points each.
Eau Claire wasn't as efficient in the second quarter, but they still took a commanding 41-11 lead into the halftime break. They wouldn't slow down going into the third, as Essen, Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) and Hoeppner all had quick lay-ups within the first few minutes. Ruden and Caryn Donahue hit three-pointers in the quarter to help balloon the Blugold lead to 42 points going into the final period.
Eau Claire held Salve Regina to just 2-12 from the field in the fourth quarter, while shooting 47.1% themselves. That included four three-pointers made during the quarter, with two coming from Julia Korklewski (Fr.-Reedsburg, WI).
It was the perfect mix of good offense and tough defense for the Blugolds on the day. In total, they shot 50% from the field, while nailing ten threes. They outrebounded the Seahawks 48-26, and held them to just 17% on field goals.
Ruden would finish the day as the leading scorer for Eau Claire, scoring 13 points. Graaskamp and Ellie Clayton (So.-Lakeville, MN/Farmington) also added nine. The Blugolds racked up some impressive defensive stats, compiling 15 steals. Four of those came from Maizie Deihl (Jr.-New Prague, MN).
The 2-0 trip to Daytona may be just what the Blugolds need before they begin Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Saturday, January 4th at UW-Whitewater. That game will tip off at 3 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
