By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-Stout on Wednesday night, 64-59.
The two teams traded buckets throughout the first quarter, with Eau Claire up 17-15 at the end of the period. Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) scored eight of the 17, going 2-4 from three-point territory.
Stout reclaimed the lead with a run to begin the second, which they would keep going into the break, 32-31. Maizie Deihl (Jr.-New Prague, MN) was the leading scorer in the second, with six points.
Things would remain tight throughout the second half, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Down 47-45 going into the final ten minutes, the Blugolds had a great shooting fourth, dropping 19. With things tied at 58, Anna Graaskamp (Fr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) hit a clutch layup with under a minute to play. Hoeppner and Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) hit free throws to seal the five-point victory.
The Blugolds shot 43% in the win, while also gaining an advantage on the glass, outrebounding Stout 40-35.
Hoeppner finished as the leading scorer with 19 point, while Graaskamp also contributed 16. In addition to the scoring, Hoeppner also grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked four shots. Jessie Ruden (Fr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) was also important in the Blugold defense, recording four steals.
The victory was Eau Claire's first in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season, while moving them to 6-6 overall. They will return to Zorn Arena this Saturday, hosting UW-Platteville at 5 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
