By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-La Crosse in the semifinals of the WIAC Championships Thursday night, 59-56. Halle Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) hit a game-winner to send Eau Claire to the Championship Game.
Box Score | WIAC Championship Website
Neither team was able to build much of a lead in the first quarter, with the Eagles building an initial 11-4 advantage. The score at the end of the first quarter was 12-11 in favor of La Crosse.
Maizie Diehl (Jr.-New Prague, MN) was the leading scorer for the Blugolds, coming off the bench to score five points.
Hot shooting from La Crosse provided them with separation, as they went on a 12-2 run to begin the second. The Eagles would make a layup to go into halftime up 34-24.
Eau Claire responded in the third period, shooting 47 percent from the field to score 18 points in the quarter. Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) went 4-4 from the field, scoring nine points as UWEC made it a four-point game.
The Blugolds hovered around the lead until two minutes remaining in the game, when Katie Essen (Jr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) hit a layup to give them control. After a pair of free throws from Hoeppner, La Crosse tied the game off a three.
With the game on the line, Eau Claire turned to Hoeppner, who came through in the clutch with the game-clinching three. The assist came from Essen, hitting Hoeppner in stride for the thrilling win.
In addition to the game-winner, Hoeppner also led all scorers with 17 points. She went 5-12 from the field and hit 5-5 from the free throw line. Graaskamp finished with a double-double, with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
The Blugolds will move on to the WIAC Championship against UW-Oshkosh, which will take place this Saturday at 4 PM. Eau Claire beat UW-Oshkosh in both of their regular season meetings this year. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
